Eventually, the Minnesota Vikings must parlay their gravy-train acumen for drafting wide receivers into a Super Bowl triumph. The Vikings are the NFL’s third-best franchise per win percentage during the Super Bowl era but curiously haven’t won the chip.
Jordan Addison Does It Again
Until then, Minnesota will continue drafting high-octane wideouts, and 2023 feels no different. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah scooped USC alumnus Jordan Addison out of Round 1 in April’s draft, and he, too, is off to a promising start, hinting that trend will continue.
And on Thursday, he did it again, plopping a dazzling highlight on film, albeit in a joint-practice session with the lowly Arizona Cardinals.
Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; USC wide receiver Jordan Addison on stage 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.
Here’s the footage:
JORDAN ADDISON ???? pic.twitter.com/3Jo2jiwlYG
— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) August 24, 2023
And from another angle:
Can’t stop this ????????
@Espn_Jordan pic.twitter.com/PVzv0EuG7P
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 24, 2023
The man has done this all summer, a refreshing circumstance after Addison’s career got off to a rocky start in July, cited for reckless driving that he pleaded down to a misdemeanor speeding charge this week. Addison has since apologized, seemed sincere, and has blown minds with incredible receptions.
In the first preseason game, Addison pulled off this feat, although referees erroneously ruled the catch incomplete:
Appreciate Jordan Addison doing this last night to back up everything we’ve been saying about him this summer. Footwork on the sideline and in the back of end zone has been great. In a regular season game, Kevin O’Connell challenges this. It’s a catch.pic.twitter.com/hkHaZpPRgH
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 11, 2023
The Vikings did extensive homework on Addison during the draft’s build-up and even told the Trojan they’d choose him if the draftboard allowed it. Addison was there at No. 23, and Adofo-Mensah pressed the button. Promises kept.
Aug 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during warmups prior to the game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports.
At 5’11” and 170 pounds, Addison isn’t overly physical and certainly isn’t a big-bodied bruiser receiver. But the Vikings don’t need those traits in the 2023-and-beyond offense. Minnesota needs a workhorse WR who can relieve Justin Jefferson on Sundays when opposing defensive coordinators tempt fate by selling out to stop the league’s best wideout.
For now, Addison is nestling in as the team’s WR3, at least on the depth chart, with eyes toward WR2. K.J. Osborn is on tap for WR2 duty, but the rookie could realistically take over at any time.
Rookie minicamp highlights from Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison’s first practice as a Viking after being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Addison played at the University of Pittsburgh and USC in college.
The 21-year-old tabulated 3,134 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in three seasons at Pittsburgh and USC. Addison told reporters about his wide-receiving craft in April, “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.”
He also claimed enhanced motivation about NFL general managers picking three other WRs before him in the draft. Addison mentioned after the event, “I’m so excited to be here. I’m ready to work. This is where I want to be at. I’m glad I’m here. Three receivers went before me. That’s all the fuel I needed. I’m ready to go.”
Addison and the Vikings take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 17 days to start the regular season. Soon, Addison’s magnificent practice and preseason receptions will mean something.
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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