A Future Hall of Famer Is All about Jordan Addison
The Minnesota Vikings will pair phenom wide receiver Justin Jefferson with rookie Jordan Addison this September, hoping to take the top off defenses in a manner reminiscent of late-1990s Vikings football.
Indeed, the era of offense-first decadence is back in the North Star State, and no further proof is needed than the selection of Addison. Minnesota showcased the NFL’s second-to-worst defense in 2022 per yards allowed. Drafting defensively in Round 1 might’ve been on the menu for some general managers but not these Vikings.
A Future Hall of Famer Is All about Jordan Addison
Regardless of offense or defense debates, the Vikings appear to have grabbed a stellar prospect. Addison is emphatically not a boom-or-bust personality, instead boasting a steady-Eddie scouting report, unlike some of his drat peers.
Thankfully for the Vikings and according to a future Hall of Famer, Addison will be just fine. Steve Smith had an Addison-friendly endorsement a few weeks ago, speaking on the Underdog Fantasy Show podcast, “Addison has one of the highest ceilings among wide receivers in this draft due to his blend of route-running chops and his all-around athleticism. He is a three-level route runner — intermediate, deep, and short — flexibility and footwork and the way he could get in and out his brakes are so natural.”
Addison, a 5’11” 170-pound technician-like WR, is expected to become the Vikings WR2 before too long.
“He uses his leverage, and he manipulates the defensive back consistently over and over again. He has the highest ceiling, man,” Smith affirmed.
Smith ranks eighth all-time in receiving yards (14,731), playing 16 seasons and tabulating more yards than Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, and Michael Irvin. He’s not a quack pundit bloviating — the guy knows his stuff.
Back in 2017, Smith predicted Los Angeles Rams wideout Cooper Kupp would become the top WR prospect from his draft, and many laughed. Kupp was a 3rd-Rounder and didn’t “look the part.” Fast forward six years, and Smith has been vindicated beyond the shadow of a doubt.
As for Addison, well, he’s ready for revenge. The 21-year-old wants to make teams atone for passing on him the draft, as three general managers preferred WRs Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, and Zay Flowers before Addison fell to the Vikings. He told Vikings brass last weekend, “I’m so excited to be here. I’m ready to work. This is where I want to be at. I’m glad I’m here. Three receivers went before me. That’s all the fuel I needed. I’m ready to go.”
Couple the vengeance vibe with Smith’s credible endorsement, and the Vikings might just have an exciting playmaker this September.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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