Jordan Addison

Jordan Addison 2023 Fantasy Football Rookie Profile

Overview

Jordan Addison is a junior wide receiver prospect from the University of Southern California (USC). Addison jumpstarted his college career at the University of Pittsburgh, where he thrived with quarterback Kenny Pickett before transferring ahead of his junior season.

When paired with Pickett, Addison flourished. As a freshman in 2020, he averaged 11.1 Yards Per Reception (YPR) with a catch rate of 69 percent. In 2021, he averaged 15.9 YPR and had a route percentage of 95.6. In addition, he won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s best receiver 

After that stellar campaign in Pittsburgh, Addison chose to enter the transfer portal and ultimately landed at the University of Southern California (USC). His junior effort wasn’t nearly as flashy as his previous season at Pitt. Working primarily on the outside, he saw a significant drop in passing play snap count from 566 in 2021 to 335 in 2022. However, he maintained a solid YPR average of 14.8 and a route percentage of 94. While his stats weren’t eye-catching, Addison was able to showcase his skill set on a national stage, propping up his stock ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.  

Pros

• Athletic and quick-footed
• Adept route runner with exceptional early burst ability in routes
• Can work anywhere on the field effectively
• Has experience as a punt returner

Cons

• Early contact at the line of scrimmage can disrupt his route timing
• Inconstent ball tracking on deep routes
• Limited ability to catch off-target passes
• Lack of strength and slight frame

Jordan Addison Player Comparison

DeVonta Smith (WR, Philadelphia Eagles)

Like Addison, Deonta Smith is slight in build, coming in at 6 feet and 170 pounds. Smith’s 2020 Heisman Trophy-winning season saw him net 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, similar to Addison’s 2021 Biletnikoff Award-winning season. In 2022, Smith lined up wide on 78 percent of passing play snaps and Addison on 81 percent.

While undersized for the position, each is adept at route running and quick off the line of scrimmage. In addition, their footwork is exceptional in every aspect of routes, and both are a constant deep threat. However, Smith tends to play much bigger than his size, while Addison needs more separation in his routes against bigger cornerbacks. 

Jordan Addison Fantasy Football Projection

Addison is currently being projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. While he is unlikely to be a WR1 in any offense in 2023,  he should be an excellent compliment to an established veteran. In addition, he will be able to showcase his wide range of route-running skills all over the field early and often, regardless of his landing spot. 

While he won’t be a feature receiver, Addison should be a viable NFL WR2 in 2023. His skill set translates well to the NFL, and USC runs a pro-style offense, so his adjustment period should be short. 

The Maryland-raised WR could fly up in consensus Average Draft Position (ADP) by August, depending on the hype leading up to training camp. While he won’t creep into the early rounds of drafts, he could be a mid-round pick in redraft leagues. Addison will likely be a mid-to-late first-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts. If I am in a position to grab the talented pass-catcher in those ranges, I won’t pass up the opportunity.

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