Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; USC wide receiver Jordan Addison reacts after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings twenty third overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings had roster needs at cornerback, linebacker, interior defensive line, wide receiver, and quarterback heading into Thursday night. They chose to bolster the WR room above all else.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, a trade enthusiast, remained at his No. 23 pick and selected wide receiver Jordan Addison in Round 1. The Trojan will partner with Justin Jefferson and instantly formulate one of the NFL’s youngest and best WR duos.
Vikings fans universally championed the pick, as the franchise has a long and glorious history of drafting 1st-Round wide receivers. Troy Williamson and Laquon Treadwell didn’t work out, but Randy Moss, Percy Harvin, and Justin Jefferson have picked up the slack admirably.
And don’t look now, but Addison is already in Minnesota. The team’s social media account posted the landing to Twitter on Friday:
The 21-year-old tabulated 3,134 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in three seasons at Pittsburgh and USC. He’s not the biggest playmaker in the NFL, though, checking in at 5’11″ and about 175 pounds.
Addison also spoke to reporters upon arriving in Eagan and described his skillset — or artwork, “When I’m running my routes, I like to look at it like I’m an artist. And I’m going out there painting pictures.”
The Vikings had long targeted Addison during the draft’s build-up, using a ‘Top 30’ visit on the playmaker. When head coach Kevin O’Connell called Addison with the draft news Thursday night, he mentioned, “I told you we’d get you. Somehow, someway.”
Promises made; promises kept.
“He has a desire to be great,” O’Connell said about Addison. The Vikings will likely utilize Addison’s talents immediately, especially with beloved Minnesotan Adam Thielen departing for the Carolina Panthers in March. Until draft night, incumbent WR3 K.J. Osborn seemed on deck for WR2 duty in September, but now Osborn and Addison will undergo a summer camp battle for the secondary job behind Jefferson.
Addison is known for his technical perfection in separating from defenders and can be a high-volume workhorse. He ran a 4.49 forty at the 2023 NFL Combine. At his size, he isn’t overly physical and had some problems with drops at Pittsburgh before transferring to USC in 2022.
His most popular pro comp during the draft cycle was Philadelphia Eagles wideout De’Vonta Smith.
Until the Vikings draft another rookie on Friday or Saturday, Addison and Jefferson are the two youngest players on offense.
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.