Report: Vikings to Host USC WR Jordan Addison on Pre-Draft Visit
The Vikings will host former USC wide receiver Jordan Addison on a pre-draft visit, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson. They previously met with him at the scouting combine last month, and this visit will allow for more extensive meeting time.
It's clear that the Vikings, who will also host TCU's Quentin Johnston this month, are doing their research on the wide receivers projected to be available in the middle of the first round. Minnesota holds the No. 23 overall pick and has a clear need at receiver after releasing Adam Thielen, who signed with the Panthers. Behind reigning NFL offensive player of the year Justin Jefferson, the Vikings' WR depth chart includes K.J. Osborn, Jalen Nailor, and Jalen Reagor.
Addison is a very intriguing prospect who could be the first receiver off the board — or the fourth or fifth. He's a dynamic talent with a refined skill set and plenty of proven college production, but he's also undersized at 5'11", 171 pounds and doesn't have the elite athleticism possessed by some of the other top WR prospects in the class, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, and Zay Flowers. Addison ran a 4.49 40 and posted a 34-inch vertical leap, which aren't numbers that will make up for his lack of size.
Beyond the raw testing numbers, there's not a lot to critique about Addison's game. Despite lacking top-end speed and size, he won the Biletnikoff Award as college football's best receiver following a 2021 season at Pitt in which he posted a remarkable 100/1,593/17 line as Kenny Pickett's top target. Addison then transferred to USC and had another strong season while dealing with an ankle injury late in the year.
Addison is a reliable separator who can beat man coverage with a varied release package and sharp route-running ability. He's shifty and knows how to attack cornerbacks' leverage and timing at the top of his breaks. Addison also has excellent body control and showed off improved hands last season after some occasional drop issues early in his career. He can win at all three levels of the field and has some juice after the catch, which makes him a weapon in the screen game.
If he falls to the Vikings' pick at 23, Addison could be a great fit in Minnesota. A player with his skill set would benefit from seeing consistent single coverage while playing alongside Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson. Although Addison has the upside to be a WR1 in the NFL, coming into a situation where he wouldn't have any pressure to fill that role right away could be great for him.
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