When coming into the league, players have a lot to overcome in their first off-season. From pre-draft to rookie minicamp to the rigors of NFL training camp, rookies go through the wringer before even taking their first snaps. Outside of all of these factors, the speed of the game is drastically faster. So, any expectations for a player’s rookie year should be tempered.
Unless you’re Jordan Addison, walking into the number-two role in a Kevin O’Connell offense.
Kay Adams proclaimed on her show “Up & Adams” that Jordan Addison will have a monster year in his rookie season. Guest Matt Hamilton of FanDuel took it a step further and said that “1100 to 1200 yards” is not out of the realm of possibility.
.@Vikings WR rookie Jordan Addison is going to have a monster year… yep we said it.
📺: @FanDuelTV | @heykayadams | @MattHamilton25 | @Espn_Jordan pic.twitter.com/fPyoCIAeJD
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 13, 2023
Adams and Hamilton state that the presence of Justin Jefferson along with the absence of Dalvin Cook opens up more opportunities for Addison. Hamilton brought up the Vikings’ willingness to air the ball out. They had the third most passing attempts last season with Cook on the roster. With him gone, O’Connell could lean even more into the passing game.
They have one of the best receivers in the game right now. They have good supplementary pieces in tight end T.J. Hockenson and receiver K.J. Osborn. There’s a chance they have a solid running game with backs Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, and Dewayne McBride.
There is a ton of talent surrounding Addison in this offense. Defenses will have to account for that. That leaves an opportunity for newcomer Addison to carve out production relatively early.
Now, will it be to the tune of 1100+ yards? That’s tough to say. Only five receivers were able to break 1100 yards in their rookie year:
- Odell Beckham, Jr. (2014)
- Michael Thomas (2016)
- Justin Jefferson (2020)
- Ja’marr Chase (2021)
- Garrett Wilson (2022)
All of these receivers were the main target in their respective offenses. Last season there were only two receiver duos that broke 1100 yards:
- Tyreek Hill (1710) & Jaylen Waddle (1356)
- A.J. Brown (1496) & Devonta Smith (1196)
These are two deadliest wide receiver duos in the NFL. This information doesn’t make the feat impossible. It just makes it a bit less improbable.
