Vikings Draft Pick Named as Being Among “Best Scheme Fits”
Since being picked at 23rd overall, Jordan Addison has done much to endear himself to Minnesota’s fans. The opening Vikings draft pick is well-positioned to take on the WR2 role in his rookie season.
Adding further credence to that idea is Ted Nguyen’s recent piece on The Athletic. Nguyen is among the foremost lay experts when it comes to breaking down film, analyzing scheme, and discussing the nitty-gritty of the sport. His piece includes Mr. Addison as being among the top 10 best fits coming out of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Vikings Draft Pick, Jordan Addison, & The Hope for 2023
To begin, Nguyen describes the young receiver as a “nuanced route runner” who has “subpar physical traits.” The physical traits he’s referring to are the 6’0″, 175-pound frame. Clearly, no one will be mistaking Addison for Calvin Johnson.
Nevertheless, there’s a good chance Addison can become a great NFL player. To my mind, a receiver’s route-running is akin to a quarterback’s accuracy: not having that nearly-essential ability will make life exceedingly challenging in the NFL. Supreme athleticism, compete, and intelligence can bridge the gap, but route-running/accuracy are often a necessary ingredient for prolonged success.
Thankfully, the analyst at The Athletic thinks Minnesota’s young receiver can create separation with his routes.
After noting some “concern” about being able to fight through powerful, aggressive corners, Nguyen transitions to discussing how the Kevin O’Connell offense can help:
But in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, he’ll have the benefit of playing in a lot of condensed formations, so defenses will press him a lot less. O’Connell’s offense is derived from McVay’s, so there are a ton of option routes and return routes that require receivers who can efficiently get in and out of breaks.
Before transitioning to an analysis of the next player on the list, Nguyen again underscores what will allow Jordan Addison to shine:
Though Addison needs to add weight and increase his play strength, he displayed the route-running prowess to make an instant impact in the Vikings’ offense, especially with Jefferson demanding so much attention from opposing defenses.
In some ways, Nguyen’s words function as good confirmation of what a lot of folks have picked up on: Addison is going to create separation, especially in an offense that will send him in motion and one that has Justin Jefferson’s gravitational pull getting defensive backs out of position.
In some ways, we’d all be wise to pump the brakes a bit. After all, Jordan Addison hasn’t played a single snap in an NFL game. The kid has a long, long way to go before becoming the NFL contributor many expect him to become.
The optimism, though, is palpable among those within the Vikings world and the NFL universe more broadly.
Since the NFL draft reached its end, sites far and wide have been joining in on the draft grade assessments. Predictably, there’s no clear-cut consensus for how the Vikings did. Shrinking things down to just the 23rd selection, though, makes things a lot easier to comprehend. Jordan Addison is a highly-regarded young player who is being praised as a great pick, both for his individual talent as well as his ability to take pressure off Jefferson.
Addison is just 21. He is the current leader to take on the team’s WR2 job.
