ESPN draft expert reveals NFL comparison, best team fits for Jordan Addison

Jordan Addison will be one of the most dynamic wide receiver options in the 2023 NFL Draft. The junior wide receiver put up some big-time numbers in college football. Now he will be one of the first receivers off the board come April 27th.

Ahead of the draft, Matt Miller wrote an article for ESPN to scout the receivers in the upcoming class. When evaluating Addison, he said a big key for him to be a top selection will be health and how that impacts his performance in any speed testing. If that goes well, he believes Addison can be a top prospect considering everything else he has put on tape.

“With Addison nursing an ankle injury and missing the Cotton Bowl, scouts are anxious to see him work out at the NFL scouting combine. His tape doesn’t show elite speed, so all eyes will be on his 40-yard dash time,” said Miller. “Much like Garrett Wilson last year, if Addison can impress on the track? His film is good enough to warrant a selection in the front half of Round 1.”

“He did have two games with more than 170 receiving yards this year. His agility and lower-body control (and (how) he uses them to separate in his route tree) are outstanding,” Miller said. “Addison has the tools to become one of the league’s best route runners early in his career.”

Addison caught 219 passes in his college career at Pittsburgh and USC for 3,134 yards and 29 touchdowns. That earned him a Biletnikoff Award win during his sophomore season with Pitt in 2021. It has also earned him a comparison to Keenan Allen, the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver from the Los Angeles Chargers, from Miller in his article.

As far as team fits, Miller listed the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and New York Giants. With the Texans and Bears, they have a pair of young quarterbacks, or potentially another one depending on how they start the draft, that need or will need wide receiver help on the outside. As for Daniel Jones in the Big Apple, his receiving corps has been depleted and could use some star power.

Addison can come in and be a top-level receiving option early on in his career. Where that will take place, though, will remain a mystery until the clock starts at the draft in Kansas City this spring.