The Minnesota Vikings have selected Jordan Addison with the 23rd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
While Addison is technically a USC draft pick, he is the first former Panthers wide receiver selected in the first round since Jon Baldwin in 2011, the first wide receiver selected overall since Tyler Boyd in 2014 and the highest selected wide receiver since Larry Fitzgerald in 2004.
If counted as a Pitt draftee, he is the third first round selection in the last two drafts, joining Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022) and Calijah Kancey (Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023).
Addison arrived at Pitt as a four-star recruit out of Fredrick, Maryland in 2020. Pitt’s promise to develop him as a wide receiver, as opposed to being recruited to schools like Notre Dame as a defensive back, ultimately won him over.
He emerged as Pitt’s leading wide receiver as a true freshman, building an instant rapport with Kenny Pickett and setting the stage for a breakout campaign. And he didn’t disappoint.
Addison earned Pitt’s third Biletnikoff Award in 2021, joining Antonio Bryant and Fitzgerald, as well as consensus All-American honors on the heels of a season in which he caught 100 balls for 1,593 yards (15.9 yards per catch) and 17 touchdowns.
However, last April, Addison decided to enter the transfer portal and elected to transfer to USC, finishing his collegiate career with the Trojans.
After two seasons at Pitt, he finished his career with 160 catches for 2,259 yards (14.1 yards per catch) and 21 touchdowns in just 24 games.
In a lone season at USC, Addison caught 59 passes for 875 yards (14.8 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns. Despite a down season in SoCal, Addison’s natural ability enabled him to remain a top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Despite a so-so showing at the NFL Combine last month, Addison has been able to impress NFL teams with a smooth, natural route-running ability that allows him to create a lot of space against opposing defensive backs.
It’s interesting, also, that if there’s one play during Addison’s career that he feels defines him, it’s one during his time at Pitt. A play that showcased just why he won the Biletnikoff Award in 2021.
“I’d say my catch versus Virginia, just clinching that coastal and that just shows a lot of people that in big-time moments, I’m going to step up to the occasion,” Addison said.
It would be tough to find a better landing spot for Addison, who now will join a pass-heavy option that already has an elite No. 1 wide receiver in Justin Jefferson and a proven quarterback in Kirk Cousins.
Who cares!!!??!!!
He won’t make it 6 games this year without an “injury”!