Vikings WR Snubbed from PFF’s List of Top Young Players

Josh Frey |

May 21, 2024

Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his first career touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

During the 2023 NFL season, Jordan Addison burst onto the scene as one of the better young wide receivers in the league.

After being selected with the 23rd overall pick by the Vikings (a draft spot that has produced mixed results for Minnesota in the past), Addison was given Minnesota’s WR2 role for most of the season and even served as the full-on WR1 while Justin Jefferson was on injured reserve.

However, the Vikings WR apparently was not impressive enough to make Pro Football Focus‘ list of the top 25 players under the age of 25. The list was published by Zoltan Buday on Monday, and Addison was absent.

Vikings WR Snubbed from List of Top Young Players

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

In total, there were five wide receivers on the list:

Ja’Marr Chase (No. 4)
Garrett Wilson (No. 9)
Amon-Ra St. Brown (No. 11)
Puka Nacua (No. 12)
Chris Olave (No. 24)

Of course, Justin Jefferson no longer resides on this list as he will turn 25 years old in about a month from now.

The only wide receiver who was a rookie in 2023 is Puka Nacua, who shattered record books with the Los Angeles Rams last season after being selected in the fifth round. Nacua put together 105 receptions for 1486 yards and six touchdowns last season, setting new rookie records for both receptions and yards.

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

As a result, it isn’t entirely surprising to see Addison miss out on the list this season. The rookie did have a strong season, though, which could see the 22-year-old receiver take a jump in the coming years.

We also have to keep in mind that, almost as soon as Jefferson began missing games, QB Kirk Cousins went down with an injury as well, meaning that Addison had to deal with being thrust into a bigger role while catching passes from players like Jaren Hall, Josh Dobbs, and Nick Mullens.

Even still, Addison finished his 2023 campaign with a grand total of 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. He and Sam LaPorta led all rookies in touchdown catches last season and became just the 12th and 13th rookies in NFL history to record 10+ touchdowns, respectively.

Vikings WR — 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

Ultimately, Addison had one of the most impressive rookie seasons in Vikings franchise history, and now, with a healthy Justin Jefferson alongside him, it will be very fun to see what the two of them can do together in 2024.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference and Stathead.

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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.