The fourth straight wide receiver is off the board. The Vikings have used the No. 23 pick on USC wideout Jordan Addison. A report earlier today pegged Minnesota as an Addison suitor, and the team will add its second first-round wideout in four drafts.
Three years after striking gold with Justin Jefferson, the Vikings will try out Addison as a potential long-term running mate. The team made Adam Thielen a cap casualty this offseason and has 2020 draftee K.J. Osborn going into a contract year. Given the money Jefferson will command, the Vikings may be prepared to let Osborn walk in 2024 and build around a Jefferson-Addison tandem.
Addison transferred from Pitt to USC last year, joining Lincoln Riley and the QB guru’s third Heisman winner in six years (Caleb Williams). Addison did not fare nearly as well in Los Angeles compared to his sophomore-year Pennsylvania showing, but he did not dock his stock much with diminished production. Addison played a big part in Kenny Pickett‘s fifth-year breakthrough in 2021, erupting for 100 receptions 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns.
While Addison did not experience the 2022 swoon fellow first-round wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba did, he posted 59 receptions for 875 yards during his lone L.A. year. Still, the 5-foot-11 pass catcher has both outside and slot experience and graded as the top wideout available — by a fairly notable margin — on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board.
Minnesota has used some major draft capital to bolster Jefferson’s supporting cast, trading a second-rounder for T.J. Hockenson and now drafting Addison. The team has some offensive uncertainty going forward, passing on a fourth Kirk Cousins contract this offseason. Instead, the Vikings restructured their QB’s deal. Cousins, who will turn 35 this year, is going into a contract campaign.
This was viewed as a possible Hendon Hooker spot, but the Tennessee prospect — along with Will Levis — remains on the board. But the Vikings have their receiver investment, who can be controlled on his rookie deal through 2027 (via the fifth-year option).
Well, there goes my hope that the Giants would get a WR in the first round.
Giants should trade for D-Hop
Bring it on, haha.
Addison going to be like J Jettas and out preform the WRers taken ahead of him. Flowers is the guy I think will be the worst
The Vikings were next to last defensively last season and they opt for the 4th WR available? I just don’t see any logic to that but maybe their plan is to win games 50-49.