One Viking Reportedly Had an “Incredible Offseason”
Sophomore jumps are common in the NFL. Justin Jefferson started hot with 1,400 yards in his debut season but tallied 1,616 yards in his second campaign (in one more game). Almost a decade ago, Stefon Diggs increased his yards per game from 55.4 as a rookie to 69.5 in his second season in 2016.
One Viking Reportedly Had an “Incredible Offseason”
A similar improvement could be experienced from the next promising receiver in the long list of Minnesota’s explosive pass-catchers. Jordan Addison was drafted with the 23rd overall pick in 2023, and he immediately contributed on offense, mainly as a deep-threat receiver with the ability to make big plays.
That resulted in a solid 70 catches for 911 yards and a team-leading ten touchdowns. An already-promising start could be just a glimpse of his ceiling. Stacey Dales, NFL Network, forecasted an exciting future.
I want to see Jordan Addison because I was told he had an incredible offseason. Could this be the best wide receiver duo in the National Football League? This young man, he had ten receiving touchdowns to lead all rookie receivers last season. He had four different quarterbacks in the process and a stretch in which Justin Jefferson was injured, I think it was seven games. This young man could have a whopping sophomore season in the NFL and we’ll see what happens at quarterback. Sam Darnold has walked into a pretty nice situation.
Stacey Dales
Addison became the wingman Jefferson needed next to him — someone who could take advantage of the favorable matchups when the star gets all the attention from defenses. The rookie is a smooth route runner who can win over the top and has sure hands. There’s a reason why he won the Biletnikoff Award in his final season in Pittsburgh in 2021 with QB Kenny Pickett.
However, there are still some elements that need improvement in his game. As a smaller receiver (he is listed at 5’11” and 175 lbs), he struggles to win against press coverage and physical defenders. The promising aspect is that there were some plays in which he played through contact to make plays, but he must be more consistent at it. Adding some weight and perhaps learning how to beat that kind of defense could help him reach the next level.
Addison was asked about his focus in the offseason, and he emphasized that he wants to improve at having a plan and knowing how to attack defenses.
In May, he said, “My releases, that’s been the main focus for me, and I feel like it’s been paying off. My work is showing out there. Just having a plan once I get to the line (of scrimmage), being decisive and just making sure that I’m locked in on my releases. I feel like it’s going well so far. Last year, I wasn’t as confident in my releases, I wasn’t decisive, and I didn’t have a plan when I was coming up to the line. I was freelancing, trying to do what I could to make something work, but now it’s my focus (to have a plan).”
He will catch passes from Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy in the upcoming season. Neither has a history of elevating the output of their wideouts, which might be a little concerning. Still, it should be noted that the passers enter a pass-happy offense, and head coach Kevin O’Connell will continue to call a heavy dose of passing plays. A fair share of those throws will head toward Addison, especially until target magnet T.J. Hockenson returns to the lineup.
The duo of Jefferson and Addison will continue to be a crucial point in Minnesota’s offense for years to come. Jefferson is under contract for the next five seasons, Addison for four.
The 22-year-old could take another step in his second season. More consistency could elevate him into a tier of elite second options, and the 1,000 yards could be in reach.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt