The Minnesota Vikings made major NFL news during the draft with their first-round selection. And he’s not shy about wanting to play a key role in the Vikings’ offense this year.
Three years after the Vikings drafted Justin Jefferson in the first round, the team added another wide receiver, Jordan Addison, who was a star college. Addison will help add an explosive presence on the offense for quarterback Kirk Cousins as the team lost running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Adam Thielen this offseason.
Addison thinks he can take Thielen’s place.
NFL News: Minnesota Vikings WR Jordan Addison has high hopes
According to Brenna White with the NFL, Addison said he believes he can take Thielen’s role on the offense in his rookie season:
Now, Addison will get the chance to bring his talents to the table as a replacement for receiver Adam Thielen, who signed with the Panthers after being released by Minnesota.
In 2022, while playing for USC, Addison had 59 receptions for 875 yards and eight touchdowns.
Going into the big leagues, Addison feels he will be ready, even if that means taking over for the veteran wideout.
“I ain’t going to get into it too much, comparing. I just know what I can do. I’m confident, and I am going to fill his shoes,” he said.
Thielen was a weapon for the Vikings. He earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nominations for the 2017-18 seasons. Thielen was named to the second-team All-Pro roster.
The Green Bay Packers hope Addison isn’t Thielen
Packers fans hope Addison isn’t who he showed on tape this past season in college. Addison finished his 2021 season with 1,593 receiving yards and 17 touchdown receptions at Pittsburgh. He transferred to USC last season and caught 59 balls from Caleb Williams for 875 yards (14.8 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns.
Addison can be scary good.
Thielen was a consistent target for Cousins and the Vikings since he joined the team in 2013. He put up some big numbers against the Packers. Thielen had four games with 100 or more yards against the Packers, including a Dec. matchup during the 2016 season when he racked up 202 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. Thielen averaged 61.1 yards and .4 touchdowns per game against the Packers during his time with the Vikings.
Addison has the potential to be better than Thielen. If Jefferson takes the attention away from Addison this season, that could only make the rookie more dangerous and build his confidence. But he seems pretty confident already.
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