As a member of the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2021, Jordan Addison won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best wideout. He would then enter the transfer portal and cement himself as the biggest name available. Electing to join head coach Lincoln Riley at USC, he and quarterback Caleb Williams became perhaps the best duo in the country. Despite playing in just eleven games, Addison recorded 875 receiving yards and eight touchdowns en route to a first-team All-Pac-12 selection. Should the Las Vegas Raiders take notice?
USC WR Jordan Addison’s Strengths
One of the most versatile receivers in the class, Addison lined up all over the field for the Trojans. As a weapon both on the boundary and in the slot, he will have a role in any offense immediately. From these alignments, he can run every route in the book due to his unreal body control and quickness in tight spaces. This comes in handy after the catch as well, where he is a force with the ball in his hands. While he does have good speed, he is also an incredibly patient player who runs thoughtful routes with nuanced route stems and has an innate ability to work the defender’s blind spot. Finally, due to his high usage rate in college, he can become an offensive focal point right away in the NFL.
Jordan Addison is QUICK. pic.twitter.com/rwKJaRWUbC
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) January 23, 2023
Jordan Addison’s Weaknesses
Addison is very small for the position. At 6’0″, he is only listed at 175 pounds. I question whether he was actually playing at that weight, but regardless, he will be one of the lighter wideouts in the NFL. Due to his slight build, he does not catch the ball through traffic consistently. He is simply too small, so this will never be a part of his game.
NFL Evaluation
Addison won’t be for everybody. Simply put, some teams will straight-up not select him due to his size. For those who are willing to take the chance, however, he is a tremendously talented football player. Capable of running everything from quick slants to huge double posts on shot plays, he does it all with remarkable polish for a collegiate wideout. He gets a first-round grade from me; he reminds me a bit of Calvin Ridley. If used in a similar fashion in the NFL, the USC star should be a difference-maker from day one.
Does He Fit With The Raiders?
Of course, the Raiders are not likely to select a wide receiver at seventh overall. With Davante Adams on the roster, they have much bigger needs. However, if they can add a late first-round pick in exchange for Derek Carr, Addison in Las Vegas becomes a possibility.
If combined with Adams and Hunter Renfrow on the Raiders offense, Addison would give head coach Josh McDaniels a loaded wide receiver core full of players who cannot be guarded one-on-one. His addition in the late first or early second round could turn the Raiders’ offense into one of the most lethal in the NFL.
*Top Photo: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
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