Draft Grades Roundup: What Do Analysts Think of the Vikings' Jordan Addison Pick?
The Vikings had a wide range of options at pick No. 23 on Thursday night, with Will Levis and several top defensive prospects on the board and trading back also a possibility. They chose to continue a run on wide receivers by selecting USC's Jordan Addison, the Biletnikoff Award winner at Pitt in 2021.
Addison will replace Adam Thielen as the No. 2 receiver in Minnesota's offense, joining a stacked group of pass-catching weapons that includes Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and K.J. Osborn. He's undersized, but Addison is a natural route-runner who knows how to get open against man coverage, making him a good fit as the Vikings' WR2.
Three Thoughts on the Vikings Selecting USC WR Jordan Addison at 23
What did national draft analysts think of the pick? Let's check out their draft grades and find out. (Instant draft grades are obviously just guesses, but they're interesting nonetheless).
Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: C
The run on receivers continued in Minnesota, with the Vikings taking Addison to play opposite Justin Jefferson. While the player is terrific, Minnesota had one of the league’s worst defenses in 2022 and still has ample holes. There were terrific options in edge rusher Nolan Smith and corner Deonte Banks as well. Good player, strange pick.
Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: C
The Vikings’ offense gets more explosive with this move, but it comes at the risk of exposing an already challenged defense.
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: B
Addison gives Minnesota a legitimate threat to complement Jefferson. Much like when the 2020 first-round pick entered the league, the incoming rookie is projected as a slot receiver. Jefferson grew into a dominant receiver from any alignment. Addison is smaller, but he simply knows how to get open.
Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports: B+
Addison is the ideal No. 2 wide receiver prospect, and that's exactly what he's going to be in the NFL playing next to Justin Jefferson. In an offense that projects to throw the ball a lot, especially if the Vikings trade Dalvin Cook, Addison can be a star.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: A
He is my favorite receiver in this class. He will be a perfect complement to Justin Jefferson, He is a great route runner. Needs to get a little bigger since he weighs 175 pounds, but that will happen.
Robert Zeglinski, USA Today: B+
Getting Addison in the late first round is a wonderful value for the Vikings. Formerly as USC’s most productive receiver, the go-to man for Caleb Williams, Addison largely had his way with most of the Pacific Coast teams. He’s only available here because of a disappointing 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine and a slight redemption at a dreary, wet USC Pro Day.
Now, Addison gets to be the speedster complement to Justin Jefferson, pro football’s top boundary weapon. I wouldn’t be sleeping well tonight if I was a cornerback in the NFC North.
Ben Rolfe, Pro Football Network: B
Addison puts extra pressure on defenses with his combined vertical and lateral appeal, and in turn, takes pressure off Jefferson. That in and of itself is a good thing. That said, the Vikings had Will Levis available, and Kirk Cousins is entering a contract year. That might’ve been an opportunity to capitalize on, but maximizing the window with Cousins makes sense.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: A+
The Vikings took full advantage of Addison’s stock slipping to this part of the first round as a slot-forward replacement for Adam Thielen. Addison is an absolute route-running technician with ideal quickness and toughness for the slot. He will benefit nicely from the coverage attention Justin Jefferson gets all over the field.
Joseph Acosta, SB Nation: A
I love Jordan Addison. Despite his size and frame, he just knows how to get open. He has a nice understanding of how to create space and how to work blind spots against opposing defenders. In Minnesota, he won’t face as much attention because of some guy named Justin Jefferson, but he’s a very nice complement to Jefferson and will make that offense more efficient.
Chet Gresham, DraftKings Nation: A
The wide receiver run continues, much to the chagrin of the Giants and Chiefs. And each of these wide receiver picks gets an A from me. These were the top four receivers and all were taken at a slight discount. Addison is a perfect replacement for Adam Thielen and should be able to step into his shoes sooner than later.
Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Also, follow me on Twitter and feel free to ask me any questions on there.
