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It wasn't a quarterback and it wasn't a player on the defensive side of the ball. With the No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah selected former Pitt/USC wideout Jordan Addison. 

A former four-star recruit from Tuscarora High School in Maryland, Addison initially committed to the in-state Terrapins before opting to enroll at Pittsburgh. After a solid freshman campaign, Addison exploded onto the national college football scene by winning the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the top WR in the FBS. He was certainly worthy, racking up 100 receptions for 1,573 yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns. 

Addison then transferred to USC, and while this past season wasn't as legendary, he cemented himself as a potential first-round pick by catching passes from Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. In 11 games, Addison caught 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns. 

With the loss of Adam Thielen, a young wide receiver with potential was a need for the Vikings. At No. 23 overall, Addison could be a potential steal. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Addison, including his scouting report, prospect ranking, pro comparison, combine results, college and high school accolades and overall NFL outlook.

NFL Draft grade: A

"He is my favorite receiver in this class. He will be a perfect complement to Justin Jefferson, He is a great route runner. Needs to get a little bigger since he weighs 175 pounds, but that will happen." -- Pete Prisco

Join us for live 2023 NFL Draft analysis from CBS Sports and an updating NFL Draft tracker. Also check out Pete Prisco's NFL Draft grades for every first-round pick and subscribe to the "With the First Pick" podcast for nightly recaps, winners and losers and more from Kansas City.

Jordan Addison draft profile

player headshot
Jordan Addison
MIN • WR • #3
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  • Age: 21
  • Hometown: Frederick, Maryland
  • Interesting fact: Third Pittsburgh player to win Biletnikoff Award (best WR in FBS), joining Antonio Bryant and Larry Fitzgerald
  • CBS Sports prospect ranking: No. 25 overall | No. 4 WR | 87.97 rating (Long-term starter)

NFL combine measurements/results

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 173 lbs | Arms: 30 7/8" | Hands: 8 3/4"

  • 40-yard dash: 4.49 seconds
  • Broad jump: 10 feet, 2 inches
  • Vertical jump: 34 inches

NFL comparison

player headshot
DeVonta Smith
PHI • WR • #6
TAR136
REC95
REC YDs1196
REC TD7
FL1
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Scouting report

Jordan Addison is an advanced, dynamic wideout with outside and inside experience and a complete game. He's smaller and skinnier in stature and not a super twitched up, hyper athlete, but he gets the most out of his athletic gifts with sharp breaks in his routes. He battles through contact in the route and gets North-South in a hurry. His speed looks like a clear positive to his game, and he will threaten most CBs in the NFL. Not a true burner, though, and not a contested-catch guy because of his smaller frame/catch radius, but his hands are rock solid. His ball-tracking is very good, and he can run a variety of routes. Overall, he's a high-floor, somewhat-high-upside WR who should move the needle early in his NFL career.

Strengths

  • Sharp, sudden routes at all levels
  • Good explosion/lean while running routes and after the catch
  • Catches everything, rock-solid hands
  • Speedy type down the field

Weaknesses

  • Smaller, unintimidating frame
  • Not a monster athlete
  • Tiny catch radius

Combine Results:

  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.49 seconds
  • Vertical: 34 inches
  • Broad Jump: 10 feet, 2 inches

College stats, accolades

Receiving stats

YearGamesRecYardsYPCTD

2022 (USC)

11

59

875

14.8

8

2021 (Pittsburgh)

14

100

1,593

15.9

17

2020 (Pittsburgh)106066611.14

Honors

  • 2022 (USC): First-team All-Pac-12
  • 2021 (Pittsburgh): Biletnikoff Award winner (best WR in FBS)
  • 2021 (Pittsburgh): Consensus All-American
  • 2021 (Pittsburgh): First-team All-ACC
  • 2020 (Pittsburgh): Freshman All-American (The Athletic, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com)
  • 2020 (Pittsburgh): All-ACC honorable mention

Notable statistics

  • 2021 (Pittsburgh): Tied-most receiving TD (17) in FBS
  • 2021 (Pittsburgh): Set school record for receptions (100)

247Sports profile

High school: Tuscarora (Frederick, Maryland)
Class: 2020
Composite Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0.9044)

  • National: 275 | Athlete: 10 | Maryland: 12

High school accolades: 2019 Super 22 and All-Area (Baltimore Touchdown Club)

Check out Jordan Addison's full 247Sports profile, here. For his MaxPreps profile, click here.