Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Jason Allen/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
Handing out Vikings Draft Grades for every Minnesota selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, from Jordan Addison through DeWayne McBride.
No one is going to call the Minnesota Vikings one of the biggest winners of the 2023 NFL Draft. With only seven selections and just one that was made inside the Top 100 picks, they were never going to be on the level of teams like the Steelers, Eagles, Seahawks and so on as a surefire home-run hitter for the draft.
With that said, the big key was still going to be for the Vikings to come into this draft and improve a roster that they have very aggressively been shaking up this offseason, especially with the NFC North now wide-open with Aaron Rodgers no longer on the Packers.
So how did Minnesota fair in doing that? Let’s take a look at our Vikings draft grades for their 2023 class, going from Jordan Addison in the first round all the way up to their lone seventh-round pick, DeWayne McBride.
Vikings Draft Grades: Rating every pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
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Vikings Draft Grades for Jordan Addison: B+
Releasing Adam Thielen this offseason made wide receiver a pressing need for the Vikings. Yes, they have one of the NFL’s best at the position in Justin Jefferson, but he can’t be out on an island with guys like KJ Osborn and company not exactly drawing a whole lot of attention away from him in coverage.
It was a bit unfortunate for the Vikings, however, that a run on receivers found them at the back end of it with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston and Zay Flowers coming off of the board immediately before the 23rd overall pick. Even with that being the case, Jordan Addison is a helluva consolation prize.
Addison is a bit slight at 173 pounds and 5-foot-11 and, admittedly, he didn’t test as well or as fast as you ideally would’ve liked for a player at that size at receiver.
When you look at draft prospects, though, you have to trust the film more than anything and Addison was a monster at both Pitt and USC. His lateral quickness, footwork and overall ability to separate were evident throughout his college career as he has the ability to work every level of the field.
Given the state of the Vikings receiver room, Addison is a great addition who will have a big impact immediately, especially in terms of keeping the field open for Jefferson and making sure the offense keeps humming.
