Jordan Addison 2023 NFL Draft Projection: How high could the USC wide receiver go?

In 2023, wide receivers dominated the NFL Scouting Combine. Jordan Addison, a former star for USC and Pitt, was on that chart too, and he has a good chance of getting selected in the first round.

When playing for Pitt in 2021, Addison excelled in college, recording 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 17 scores. He later changed schools to USC, where in 11 outings, he recorded 59 catches for 875 yards and eight touchdowns. He missed two games in October due to a left ankle injury. He also missed the Cotton Bowl to rest himself from the injury.

He could provide a player like Justin Fields with a weapon, immediately boosting the Chicago Bears' offensive power.

Among a talented group of wide receivers, Addison is a fascinating prospect. His accomplishments at USC and Pitt have attracted a lot of interest from NFL draft scouts. According to several NFL draft pundits, Addison will be picked among the top 15 overall.

In the previous three NFL drafts, three USC Trojans were selected in the first round: wideout Drake London, offensive lineman Austin Jackson and offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. If Addison is selected in the first round, it will be the first time since 1993–94 that the Trojans will have wideouts selected in the first round of consecutive draft editions.

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What are Jordan Addison’s strengths and weaknesses?

Jordan Addison is one of the most explosive receivers in this draft class. He plays with blazing ability and lightning-quick feet. These qualities make him a successful route runner.

The greatest route-running elements in Addison's game include excellent timing and ability to stop and burst out breaks quickly without wasting any movement. Addison can quickly accelerate to top speed and has the elite speed to pose a danger to defensive lines both vertically and horizontally.

Although Jordan Addison is smaller than the typical first-round WR, he more than makes up for it with his agility. You can tell when a receiver has soft, smooth hands and route-running ability because they will be a reliable target.

Physicality is an area where Addison could have trouble, especially initially. He can be speedy enough to cause defenders headaches occasionally, but when cornerbacks tackle him, he tends to lose his momentum and is more likely to be run into the boundary. He will likely require an offensive unit that frequently shifts him and keeps him in comfortable alignments.