Analyst Forecasts Breakout Vikings Star Will See a Dip in Production during 2024
In 2023, the Minnesota Vikings were given the 23rd overall pick in the draft because of their 13-4 record during Kevin O’Connell’s first season as head coach.
With that selection, the Vikings opted to bring in WR Jordan Addison, who quickly blossomed into one of the better young wide receivers in the league. However, one analyst is projecting that Addison will see a bit of a dip in production during the 2024 campaign. That analyst is Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team.
Vikings Star Forecasted to See a Dip in Production
In his most recent article, Mosher laid out arguments for why four rookies who showed out in 2023 could take a bit of a step back this upcoming fall.
“Nacua, Rice and Zay Flowers all got a lot of national attention for their strong rookie season. It certainly didn’t hurt that all their teams made the playoffs, but that is beside the point. Jordan Addison had an incredible first season, racking up 911 receiving yards on 70 receptions. Addison led all rookies in touchdown receptions (10) and averaged a whopping 8.4 yards per target. He was incredible for the Minnesota Vikings and was everything the team could have hoped for when it selected him at pick No. 23,” Mosher wrote of Addison’s 2023 campaign.
Indeed, it was a very positive season for Addison, and it came right as the Vikings absolutely needed him. Minnesota decided to part ways with Adam Thielen following the 2022 season, thus leaving a void at their WR2 position.
That need for production at wide receiver was only further exacerbated when Justin Jefferson went down with a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs that landed him on injured reserve for seven games.
Addison was able to fill the void with a fantastic rookie season, but Mosher sees some unstable waters ahead for the receiver heading into year two.
“It feels pretty likely he won’t reach the same numbers in 2024,” Mosher continued. “The most obvious reason is that Kirk Cousins left the Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons. In the eight games Addison played with Cousins, he scored seven touchdowns and averaged 60.3 yards per game. He scored three times in the nine games without him and averaged 47.7 yards per game. J.J. McCarthy could be solid as a rookie, but there is no way he’ll be as productive as Cousins.”
Addison’s production certainly could vary based on the play of his next quarterback. Cousins is one of the more steady presences at the position in the NFL, so it will be an adjustment for the receiver as he gets to know McCarthy and Sam Darnold, who could also earn the Week 1 starting job.
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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.