Jordan Addison Gets Love from NFL Players
About four months ago, on the eve of 2023 free agency, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) released ‘team grades,’ reporting on each franchise’s culture, amenities, accommodations, etc.
The Vikings led the business via grade out of all 32 NFL teams.
Jordan Addison Gets Love from NFL Players
Such grades are a new initiative empowering players’ voices and holding the NFL enterprise accountable. And in the same vein as the team grades, the NFLPA released a ‘Rising Stars List‘ last week, a collective sample of young men on the rise as determined by veteran players.
In the Rookies section of the list, Minnesota Vikings wideout Jordan Addison pulled down ninth place.
The NFLPA defined the system, “This roster showcases 10 rookies and 10 veteran players who are not only expected to have a significant impact on retail sales of officially licensed NFLPA player merchandise but are also projected to compete for the top spot on the NFLPA Top 50 Players Sales charts. This top spot has been dominated by Tom Brady for years, but these players have the potential to challenge his reign and claim that coveted position.”
Minnesota drafted Addison with the 23rd overall pick in April.
“The rankings consider various factors that contribute to early sales popularity. These factors include on-field performance, early demand for content and marketing from NFLPA partners, fantasy league status, collegiate name, image and likeness deals, the players’ existing reach to a massive audience of fans, participation in Rookie Premiere, product submissions from over 90 NFLPA licensees, support from team fan bases, and emerging talent in strong markets,” the NFLPA’s site added about the criteria.
Here’s the full rookie Rising Star list from the NFLPA:
- Anthony Richardson (QB, Colts)
- Bijan Robinson (RB, Falcons)
- Bryce Young (QB, Panthers)
- CJ Stroud (QB, Texans)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Seahawks)
- Will Anderson Jr. (EDGE, Texans)
- Zay Flowers (WR, Ravens)
- Jalin Hyatt (WR, Giants)
- Jordan Addison (WR, Vikings)
- Joey Porter Jr. (CB, Steelers)
Addison missed some of organized team activities in the last month and all of mandatory minicamp with what the Vikings called a minor injury. But when he returns at training camp — in less than five weeks — he’ll have a mighty assignment afoot. And that’s grabbing a WR2 job from the incumbent, K.J. Osborn. Because Addison is a 1st-Round talent, he should rise to WR2 before too long, but it is unclear if he’ll do so out of the gate in 2023.
The 21-year-old tabulated 3,134 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in three seasons at Pittsburgh and USC and is considered a target-heavy playmaker. If needed, Addison can fill in as WR1, at least according to his draft scouting report.
The NFLPA also identified Brock Purdy (QB, 49ers), Garrett Wilson (WR, Jets), and Jordan Love (QB, Packers), among others, as non-rookie Rising Stars.
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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