Jordan Addison Has That First-Round Look

There is much to be said for first impressions, and Jordan Addison has the look of being elite at the next level.

This wide receiver (WR) transferred from Pitt to USC for the 2022 season, but not before he lit it up in 2021.

Speed kills and Addison has the kind of football playing speed that can take the top off of a defense.

Draft sites are noticing Addison

So far, CBS, NBC Sports Chicago, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Network, Bleacher Report, Draftwire, Rise N Draft, The Sporting News, The Athletic, Walter Football and 247Sports all have put first-round grades on him.

In this instance, I agree.

He is a game-breaking playmaker.

Addison has got some Jameson Williams and Tyreek Hill in his game.

What makes Addison so dangerous?

He can make plays at all three route levels, and his stats prove just how dangerous he is.

Addison caught 160 passes combined in two seasons (2020 and 2021) at Pitt for 2,259 yards and 21 touchdowns during that time period.

His efforts in 2021 alone were enough to haul in the Biletnikoff Award, given to country’s outstanding receiver.

Other notable receivers who have won this award at Pitt are Antonio Bryant (2000) and Larry Fitzgerald (2003).

Defenses always need to stay on their toes and be aware of him at all times because whether it’s a bubble screen or a deep post, he can hurt opponents.

He can also gash secondaries at the intermediate route level and has a knack for finding the soft spots in coverages.

Is there anything this guy can’t do?

I have one big concern with Addison, and that is his average catch-radius.

Whether passes were high, low or simply a little off target, Addison couldn’t haul them in.

There were several passes that were just off his fingertips in this three game film study.

While at Pitt in 2020 and 2021, he caught those 160 passes, but he was targeted 234 times during that time span.

#3 Jordan Addison 6-foot-0, 175 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 50.6% of the NFL Draft Community as a first-round pick as of September 23, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Duke, Western Michigan and Virginia Tech (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: Moderate

2021 stats: 100 receptions (145 targets) 1,593 yards (15.9 avg.), 17 TD, 67-long

Level of competition: Moderate

NFL comparable: Jameson Williams

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Lanky and smooth athlete with long arms, top shelf speed and polished route running skills. Able to make quick moves to shake corners off the snap and achieve leverage getting into routes. Can catch bubble screens and consistently turn them into longer gains due to how shifty and elusive he is in the open field. He is determined to pick up additional yardage and it takes an effort to stop him in these situations. Has a short area burst and fast acceleration going in and out of his routes. Does a nice job setting up defensive backs. Able to snap it off and make nice and crisp adjustments at route breakpoints. Can blow right past secondaries and get open deep with his building long speed. The only downer is his average catch radius. Decent blocker who works at it. There is a lot to like about him.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. What is his production at USC?
2. How does he look against high level competition?
3. How does his catch radius look?
4. What is his 40-time leading up to the draft?

How Addison answers these four questions, will determine where he lands on the draft board.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.