The Minnesota Vikings had an above-average offense in the first year of the Kevin O’Connell era as the team’s head coach. That offense was the major reason for the 13-4 record and the first division title since 2017. Despite the success, there are some things to improve, like the rushing game.
Offensively, the Vikings ranked 8th in points and 7th in yards per game. The 11th-most yards per play and the 3rd-most first downs imply that the offense was efficient, especially the passing attack produced excellent numbers – 5th in yards and 4th in touchdowns.
However, the Vikings made an adjustment to the arsenal of Kirk Cousins. Adam Thielen was released and replaced by Jordan Addison. The obvious difference between the two is age. Addison is 21, while Thielen will turn 33 in August. The rookie was the 23rd overall pick and the only selection of the Vikings in the first 100 picks. That shows how much the organization liked him, as they could’ve easily addressed the bad defense with that valuable choice.
Quote:You can easily make an argument for Alexander Mattison here given that he will be stepping into the shoes previously filled for quite a while by Dalvin Cook. But NFL offenses tend to go as far as their passing game can take them, and Addison is the player in the best position to help take that facet of Minnesota’s offense to the next level.
He doesn’t have great size or elite speed, but Addison is a master technician able to generate separation from nearly any defensive back with ease. How well he works as a complement to Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson will likely determine the ceiling of this offense.
The lack of size and speed is indeed the biggest cause for concern surrounding Addison. He weighed in at 171 lbs at the scouting combine and is one of the lightest receivers in the NFL. In addition, those lighter receivers are usually extremely quick and fast, but Addison clocked in with average numbers in the drills that are supposed to measure that.
The rookie wins with savvy route running and his refined technique, which is why he is expected to hit the ground running instead of requiring years of improvement, like some raw WRs. However, he has been dealing with an injury since his rookie minicamp and subsequently missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp, which may have delayed his eventual breakout. The Vikings have always emphasized that it is just for precautionary reasons. Addison is expected to be ready for training camp.
At this point, veteran K.J. Osborn should be considered the frontrunner to be the WR2 next to Justin Jefferson in the offense, but the rookie will have a chance to claim that spot in training camp. He is a talented player and will push Osborn for snaps sooner rather than later, even if he doesn’t win the job initially.
If Addison is the real deal, Kevin O’Connell’s offense in his second season has tremendous upside. The lack of a true outside threat other than Jefferson was a problem in the past, and the decision-makers addressed it by bringing in the college star.
https://vikingsterritory.com/2023/news/analysis/drafted-their-new
I think a lot is being made of Addison's size (or lack of it) and speed. Devonta Smith is a good comp size wise (similar height and slim) and he allegedly ran in the high 4.4's in college. He was a high first round pick and has been ultra productive in his first two years.
Also one of the last USC guys who was on the small side and ran a 4.6 40 yd dash was Amon-ra St. Brown. He's been a stud for Detroit and wins with route running over speed or quickness.
Anyone remember Justin Jefferson? Lots of scouts and draft analysts harped on him not being as big or as fast as other WRs taken in front of him. But he's a savvy route runner and is one of the best players in the entire NFL now (I called it too StickyBun :-P).
We'll find out real quick if Addison is on the right side of this or not. One thing that typically translates is route running and that showed up with him consistently at Pitt and USC.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
The Minnesota Vikings had an above-average offense in the first year of the Kevin O’Connell era as the team’s head coach. That offense was the major reason for the 13-4 record and the first division title since 2017. Despite the success, there are some things to improve, like the rushing game.
Offensively, the Vikings ranked 8th in points and 7th in yards per game. The 11th-most yards per play and the 3rd-most first downs imply that the offense was efficient, especially the passing attack produced excellent numbers – 5th in yards and 4th in touchdowns.
However, the Vikings made an adjustment to the arsenal of Kirk Cousins. Adam Thielen was released and replaced by Jordan Addison. The obvious difference between the two is age. Addison is 21, while Thielen will turn 33 in August. The rookie was the 23rd overall pick and the only selection of the Vikings in the first 100 picks. That shows how much the organization liked him, as they could’ve easily addressed the bad defense with that valuable choice.
You can easily make an argument for Alexander Mattison here given that he will be stepping into the shoes previously filled for quite a while by Dalvin Cook. But NFL offenses tend to go as far as their passing game can take them, and Addison is the player in the best position to help take that facet of Minnesota’s offense to the next level.
He doesn’t have great size or elite speed, but Addison is a master technician able to generate separation from nearly any defensive back with ease. How well he works as a complement to Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson will likely determine the ceiling of this offense.
The lack of size and speed is indeed the biggest cause for concern surrounding Addison. He weighed in at 171 lbs at the scouting combine and is one of the lightest receivers in the NFL. In addition, those lighter receivers are usually extremely quick and fast, but Addison clocked in with average numbers in the drills that are supposed to measure that.
The rookie wins with savvy route running and his refined technique, which is why he is expected to hit the ground running instead of requiring years of improvement, like some raw WRs. However, he has been dealing with an injury since his rookie minicamp and subsequently missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp, which may have delayed his eventual breakout. The Vikings have always emphasized that it is just for precautionary reasons. Addison is expected to be ready for training camp.
At this point, veteran K.J. Osborn should be considered the frontrunner to be the WR2 next to Justin Jefferson in the offense, but the rookie will have a chance to claim that spot in training camp. He is a talented player and will push Osborn for snaps sooner rather than later, even if he doesn’t win the job initially.
If Addison is the real deal, Kevin O’Connell’s offense in his second season has tremendous upside. The lack of a true outside threat other than Jefferson was a problem in the past, and the decision-makers addressed it by bringing in the college star.
https://vikingsterritory.com/2023/news/analysis/drafted-their-new
All this without mentioning the most important factor of all. Continuity for Kirk Cousins and the OL.
Alex Smith ran six different offenses in six years. Recipe for disaster. He couldn't get out of his own way. He gets a little continuity in KC and goes to 3 Pro Bowls. Patrick Mahomes has been in the same offense since he was drafted. Peyton Manning ran the same offense for years. Took it with him to Denver. Tom Brady ran the same offense for almost 20 years.
This will be the 1st time Cousins returns to the same offense since 2016.
Quote: @Wetlander said:
I think a lot is being made of Addison's size (or lack of it) and speed. Devonta Smith is a good comp size wise (similar height and slim) and he allegedly ran in the high 4.4's in college. He was a high first round pick and has been ultra productive in his first two years.
Also one of the last USC guys who was on the small side and ran a 4.6 40 yd dash was Amon-ra St. Brown. He's been a stud for Detroit and wins with route running over speed or quickness.
Anyone remember Justin Jefferson? Lots of scouts and draft analysts harped on him not being as big or as fast as other WRs taken in front of him. But he's a savvy route runner and is one of the best players in the entire NFL now (I called it too StickyBun :-P).
We'll find out real quick if Addison is on the right side of this or not. One thing that typically translates is route running and that showed up with him consistently at Pitt and USC.
Route running is so underrated during the draft. Diggs, Thielen, JJ all had superb routes and were at the top of the game during their time with the Vikings. Thielen also used hard work, effort and quickness, which was why he fell off rather quickly when the quickness went away.
But if a rookie camp tryout and a 5th round pick can be considered in the top 5 WRs for several years, maybe the GMs should start paying attention.
Year 1:
Diggs: 52/720/13.8/4 td's
JJ: 88/1400/15.9/7 td's
Moss: 69/1313/19.0/17 td's
Quote: @greediron said:
@ Wetlander said:
I think a lot is being made of Addison's size (or lack of it) and speed. Devonta Smith is a good comp size wise (similar height and slim) and he allegedly ran in the high 4.4's in college. He was a high first round pick and has been ultra productive in his first two years.
Also one of the last USC guys who was on the small side and ran a 4.6 40 yd dash was Amon-ra St. Brown. He's been a stud for Detroit and wins with route running over speed or quickness.
Anyone remember Justin Jefferson? Lots of scouts and draft analysts harped on him not being as big or as fast as other WRs taken in front of him. But he's a savvy route runner and is one of the best players in the entire NFL now (I called it too StickyBun :-P).
We'll find out real quick if Addison is on the right side of this or not. One thing that typically translates is route running and that showed up with him consistently at Pitt and USC.
Route running is so underrated during the draft. Diggs, Thielen, JJ all had superb routes and were at the top of the game during their time with the Vikings. Thielen also used hard work, effort and quickness, which was why he fell off rather quickly when the quickness went away.
But if a rookie camp tryout and a 5th round pick can be considered in the top 5 WRs for several years, maybe the GMs should start paying attention.
Been telling them this for years, but they stopped taking my calls.
Speed is like a drug for NFL GMs. They can't stop. They'll take a 4.3 kid with no route tree over a great route runner with 4.4 speed. It's insanity.
Ruggs, Reagor, John Ross, Corey Coleman, Will Fuller, Kevin White, Breshad Perriman, Philip Dorsett, Tavon Austin, AJ Jenkins. DHB, Troy Williamson, Ashley Lelie....all 1st rounders, all 4.3 or sub 4.3 forties. All busts.
This year's version of that, Jalin Hyatt, went in the 3rd round, so maybe teams are starting to wake up.
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