One Viking Made the NFL’s Underrated Team
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison will set sail on Year No. 3 in 2025, drafted by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in Round 1 two years ago.
It’s true: one Vikings playmaker is evidently underrated, so much so that he made a fancy team this week.
He’s made quite the impact on the Vikings’ offense, and fans love him dearly.
But from a national viewpoint, Addison is apparently underrated, according to Bleacher Report.
Jordan Addison on NFL “All-Underrated Team”
BR’s Gary Davenport constructed an All-Underrated Team around the NFL this week, and Addison checked in at wide receiver.
Davenport explained, “If Jordan Addison played somewhere other than Minnesota, he might already have a higher profile than he does. After all, Justin Jefferson casts a long shadow.”
Addison has banked 133 receptions for 1,786 receiving yards through two seasons with a whopping 19 touchdowns.
Davenport added, “However, Addison has been a solid young receiver in his own right. Despite averaging only 103.5 targets in his first two NFL seasons, the 5’11”, 175-pounder posted at least 875 receiving yards in both of those campaigns. He has also been an absolute force in the red zone, reeling in 19 touchdowns to date.”
“Calling a recent first-round pick ‘underrated’ might be stretching that term, but Addison might be the No. 1 wide receiver for a number of NFL teams. Here, Addison gets his chance.”
Bleacher Report’s Underrated Criteria
For clarity, here’s how Davenport defined underrated for his makeshift team: “The rules here are simple. We’ve assembled a team of players who have never been recognized as either a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro. The result is a team that could contend for the Super Bowl. And that might get these players noticed.
“The NFL is built on stars. Fans flock to buy the jersey of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and tune in to watch the exploits of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, don’t sleep on the impact that underrated players can have on a team.”
Addison is respected around the sport, but Davenport is correct that all Vikings-themed wide receiver headlines belong to Justin Jefferson.
Davenport continued, “Few outside of Philadelphia would have called edge-rusher Josh Sweat or defensive tackle Milton Williams stars heading into last season. One dominant performance in the Super Bowl later, both received massive contracts — and neither are Eagles anymore.”
“The league is loaded with players who don’t get the credit they should. Some haven’t been around that long. Others are mired on bad teams. Some are late-bloomers or play positions short on sizzle. Whatever the reason, it begs the question: If you assembled a team of those players, what would it look like?”
That’s how Addison found his way to Davenport’s squad.
Year No. 3 for Addison on the Way
Addison enters a pivotal campaign in September, hoping to plop himself into an elite wide receiver category and possibly crossing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time.
He would’ve done so in 2024 but missed a couple of games due to injury.
Addison complements Jefferson quite well on Sundays. Jefferson is the do-everything, bellcow wide receiver, while Addison rescues the Vikings from certain situations with unforeseen, splashy plays that often result in touchdowns.
At this time next year, extension talks should heat up for the 23-year-old.
What about a Suspension?
Addison’s resume isn’t spot-free, though.
In back-to-back summers, the USC alumnus was popped for bizarre driving infractions, with a 2024 July DUI still unresolved.
In fact, Addison’s alleged DUI will evidently go to trial this summer, which is a bit strange for such a legal matter. People usually resolve such matters before trial.
If found guilty, Addison could face a suspension to start the 2025 season, probably in the neighborhood of three games.
Other Underrated Notables
The BR list featured Jordan Love as the NFL’s most underrated quarterback, which is a bit debatable. Alongside Addison at wide receiver, Jakobi Meyers of the Las Vegas Raiders got the call. So did San Francisco 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings.
Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers) represented the running back spot, with Tucker Kraft (Green Bay Packers) at tight end.
No other Vikings besides Addison made the cut.
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