Leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft starting on April 27th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up...
Jordan Addison (Wide Receiver), USC, Junior
Jordan Addison stands in at 6' tall, weighing 175lbs, and is one of the most talented wide receivers in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Pitt Athletics
Jordan Addison makes a leaping catch over a defender at practice during his freshman season at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020
Overview
I am sure everyone in Steeler Nation has thought of the idea of reuniting Addison with his former college QB Kenny Pickett, as those two had a tremendous connection in Pickett's final season at the University of Pittsburgh, after which Addison transferred to USC.
In his three college seasons, Addison accumulated 3,134 yards and 29 touchdowns, with his best season coming the same year as Pickett's best, when Addison recorded 100 receptions, 1,593 yards, and 17 touchdowns as well as winning the Biletnikoff Award which goes to the best wide receiver in the country. There are definitely concerns over Addison's stature and his inconsistent hands in his past, but no doubt that he is a dynamic play maker the Steelers will take a hard look at.
Pros:
- Full route tree
- Precise route running
- Quick feet paired with very good acceleration
- Good ball skills
- Ability to play in the slot and out wide
- Improved his drop rate significantly in final season
- Solid punt returner
Cons:
- Slight build at only 175lbs
- Not elite top speed, won't likely be a burner
- A lot of drops first two seasons, 21 drops in 186 catchable targets
The Steelers have their top two wide receivers set for at least the next two seasons in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, but you can never have too many weapons for a young quarterback, and I am sure Pickett and Steeler Nation would enjoy seeing Addison catching passed from Pickett again. The team didn't really have a slot wide receiver last season after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster to free agency, and Addison has proven he can be a great option to fill that role.
Route Running and Separation
Right up there with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Addison is one of the best route runners in the 2023 draft class. As he works his way through his route, Addison manages to make his breaks look effortless as he sinks his hips, puts his foot in the ground, and changes direction. He has amazingly quick feet that allow him to avoid being sluggish out of his breaks, and already has experienced a nearly full route tree in college that should have him well prepared to fill different rolls in an NFL offense.
Athleticism and RAC
Much of his career Addison was given ample opportunities to produce yards after the catch whether it be working across the field on drag routes or catching short screens on a RPO. He did very well in these instances as he has very good acceleration and is a natural athlete with good balance. Addison won't be someone who constantly wins in jump ball or contested catch situations due to his thinner build, but he has enough athleticism to high point passes and be a threat once the ball is in his hands.
AP Photo
Jordan Addison makes a run after the catch against the Arizona State Sun Devils in a game at LA Memorial Coliseum in 2022
IQ and Hands
There are going to be a lot of talk about Addison's hands and if he is over his drop issues that plagued him throughout his first two college seasons. He did very well eliminating those issues in his Junior year as he had only two drops, but if we learned anything as Steelers fans, people don't forget when someone had drop issues in their past. Addison is a very savvy football player who understands how to set up defenders both in man and zone coverage in order to give his quarterback the largest throwing window possible. Overall there isn't much he hasn't seen by this point after playing for two different offensive schemes against two different conferences of teams, so Addison is decently ahead of the curve in that regard.
NFL Comparison - Diontae Johnson/DeVonta Smith
Both Johnson and Smith come to mind when I see Addison on the field. Addison has the quick feet and excellent route running that both Johnson and Smith possess, as well as the understanding of how to manipulate coverages to get open. He runs a lot like Johnson in the open field where he tries to use misdirection and quick cuts to gain leverage on defenders so he can turn the corner, but has a build more similarly to Smith where he can't break many arm tackles.
Draft Projection - First Round/Early Second Round
It only takes one team to fall in love with Addison's ability to get open and his quickness to make him a high pick in the first round. However, he most likely falls in the back half of the first round somewhere due to the issues mentioned above. This puts him firmly in play for the Steelers at both their 17th and 32nd overall picks.
Let us know below what you think about Addison as a prospect and the potential of seeing him in the black and gold catching passes from Pickett! What other prospects would you be interested in seeing a profile on? Click to comment below!
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