First Look: Jordan Addison and Mekhi Blackmon at Vikings Practice
Former USC wide receiver Jordan Addison and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon hit the practice field for the first time as members of the Minnesota Vikings on Friday.
The Vikings are conducting a rookie minicamp this weekend for its six-member draft class and a host of undrafted free agents.
In all, 42 players will be involved in the camp. But there’s no doubt Addison will receive a majority of the attention as the team’s first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Addison is sporting the same No. 3 he wore at Pittsburgh for two years as well as the one spent with the Trojans. He likely had an easier time securing that number in Minnesota than he did at USC. With the Trojans, former quarterback Carson Palmer needed to give his blessing for USC to take it out of retirement. It hadn’t been worn since Palmer’s senior year in 2022, which ended with him hoisting the Heisman Trophy.
Addison hasn’t yet signed his contract with the Vikings. Just seven of the 31 first-round picks have signed. Though, two of those are wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnson. They were picks No. 20 and 21 of the Seahawks and Chargers, respectively. And they should help determine the contracts for both Zay Flowers and Addison, two more receivers taken with picks No. 22 and 23.
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Smith-Njigba’s contract with the Seahawks is for four years, $14.417 million with a $7.485 million signing bonus. Johnson signs a four-year deal worth $14.188 million with a $7.319 million signing bonus.
Addison in Minnesota
Expectations for Addison are fairly high in Minnesota. The Vikings have arguably the league’s best wide receiver in Justin Jefferson. He led the league last year in receptions, receiving yards, first-down receptions and catches of more than 20 yards. Addison is seen as a potentially dominant No. 2 receiver who can play inside and outside. And will be able to take advantage of teams sending extra defenders at Jefferson.
Blackmon With the Vikings
Addison will also team up once again with cornerback and former Trojan Mekhi Blackmon in Minnesota. Blackmon was the team’s third-round selection. The team announced Friday that Blackmon is one of four 2023 draft picks to sign their contracts.
“I kind of anticipated I was probably gonna [go to the Vikings] – just praying and wishing I would,” Blackmon told media members after being drafted. “I took my visit out there, and I fell in love with the facilities and the coaching staff, so I was hoping I would land in Minnesota.”
