Jordan Addison DRAFT PROFILE – 2023 NFL DRAFT

Jordan Addison NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT INTRODUCTION

Jordan Addison is a highly refined and complete wide receiver and a top prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is a former Biletnikoff award winner and a standout player at both the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Southern California (USC). He has displayed his impressive skills across multiple coaches, quarterbacks, and systems. Addison’s route-running, ball skills, and big-play ability are highly sought after in the NFL and will undoubtedly be an immediate improvement to any team that lands him.

Addison was a highly sought-after 4-star recruit out of Tuscarora High School in Frederick, MD. He received interest from a number of top programs, including Maryland, Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Virginia. Ultimately, he chose to attend the University of Pittsburgh, where he quickly established himself as an impact player in the Panthers’ offense.

At Tuscarora, Addison played multiple positions, including wide receiver, quarterback, and defensive back. Despite being smaller in stature, listed in the 160s, he was credited with a 4.51s 40-yard dash. Addison was instrumental in the growth of Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett, who was drafted 20th overall in 2022, as he was one of Pickett’s primary targets. Addison then transferred to USC to play for Lincoln Riley in 2022.

College Career

As a freshman in 2020, Addison played in 10 games for the Panthers and made 60 receptions for 662 yards, averaging 11.0 yards per reception. He also scored four touchdowns and had a QB rating of 97.0 when targeted.

In his sophomore year, Addison had a remarkable season in 2021, playing in 14 games and catching 100 passes for 1593 yards, with an impressive average of 15.9 yards per catch. He also scored 17 touchdowns and had a QB rating of 136.7 when targeted.

Despite winning the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s top receiver in 2021, Addison surprisingly entered the transfer portal. When asked why, he mentioned he was searching for a great coach and a better football opportunity. He also acknowledged that he was still figuring out his goals and thought he could achieve them elsewhere.

In 2022, Addison transferred and played for USC, featuring in 11 games and making 59 catches for an impressive 875 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 14.8 yards per reception and had a QB rating of 139.0 when targeted. He was the Trojans leading receiver and brought a whole new dynamic to the offense.

WR Jordan Addison put up an impressive three seasons and was one of the best receivers in the nation.

Jordan Addison 2023 NFL DRAFT PROFILE

What makes wide receiver Jordan Addison stand out is his dynamic play before he even gets the ball. He is known for altering his pace and attacking coverages with timing, which allows him to create optimal separation. Addison had a productive freshman season in 2020, but it was his offensive explosion in 2021 that really showcased his constant separation both down the field and across the middle.

He is a quarterback’s dream in this regard, with the ability to create in the quick game and screen game. Addison has excellent hands, with the ability to catch hot throws away from his frame and transition seamlessly into the run after catch.

 

Jordan Addison forty yard dash- 4.65 SECONDS

PLAYER COMPARISON- Jahan Dotson

 

SCOUTING REPORT- STRENGTHS

Another winning ingredient in Addison’s game is his ability to rack up yards after the catch (RAC). While he may not be a true track burner and deep ball threat like some other big RAC players, Addison’s ability to manufacture false steps, poor tackle challenges, and extra yards with the ball in his hands is impressive. He’s not a pure speed guy, but instead he’s a slippery runner.

At Pittsburgh, he received plenty of RPO bubbles and quick throws that allowed him to showcase his skills. At USC, Addison was targeted on quick hitters in free space underneath and given room to turn upfield.

He is a twitchy player and shows excellent creativity with the ball in his hands to manufacture added offense. Thanks to his adjusted pace, tempo, ball skills, run-after-catch ability, and savvy route-running, Addison has the potential to make an impact in many landing spots in the NFL.

SCOUTING REPORT- Weaknesses

However, Addison is not a universal player who will excel in every role. His stature and physicality are not hallmarks of his game, and he needs to be involved in the screen game as a target but not as a point setter.

Additionally, playing him to the run strength will only offer value if he’s running defenders off the line. While his attitude and effort in these areas are fine, he’s not going to bully perimeter players to create soft edges. It is unlikely that Addison will serve exclusively in the slot at the next level, as his agility and route-running will allow him to separate on the perimeter.

However, he’s not going to overwhelm corners with strength, and consistently asking him to win real estate at the catch point in contested situations or high-point throws would be a misuse of his talents. While he can bail his quarterback out on precision timing throws in these areas thanks to his ball skills, it would be unwise for any offense to rely on Addison in this regard.

It’s also worth noting that concentration drops have been an issue that has popped up on Addison’s film throughout his Pittsburgh career, although it was reduced during his time at USC. He also suffered an ankle injury in 2022, which caused him to miss about a month of play. Later on, he decided to sit out the Cotton Bowl due to a setback after returning to close out the regular season.

Jordan Addison 2023 NFL DRAFT SUMMARY

Despite these issues, expectations for Addison should be that of an immediate impact player in the NFL. While he may not be a viable WR1 from the start of his rookie season, he is undoubtedly a player primed to make an impact in the league. Addison brings a plethora of translatable traits, and he has the potential to continue the recent trend of impact rookies in NFL passing offenses.

We compare him to Jahan Dotson, who has flashed at the NFL level, but has been definitely hindered by the QB play (or lack thereof) in Washington. Some will compare WR Jordan Addison to Larry Fitzgerald. This is a fair comparison in some ways, although Fitzgerald’s hands are another level. Both can be described as an all purpose player and a menace from the slot.

Plus Side:

• Natural instincts in the slot and a day 1 impact starter
• Great route runner
• Elusive and slippery runner

Negatives:

• Good athlete but not elite in any physical traits categories
• Limited route tree; Not a deep threat
• Not physical, either at the line against press or when it comes to blocking

Jordan Addison is a top prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft, with refined skills in route-running, ball skills, and big-play ability. He has showcased his abilities across multiple coaches, quarterbacks, and systems, making him a valuable addition to any NFL team.

While he may have some areas for improvement, such as in his physicality and concentration drops, he has the potential to make an immediate impact in the league and could be one of the standout rookie receivers in 2023.

We have him ranked as our 3rd receiver behind Quentin Johnston (1st) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2nd). He’s 16th overall on our draft big board. He’s certainly a first round talent and we expect a number of receivers to be taken on Day 1 of the draft due to a lackluster free agent class at the position.