Jordan Addison Wowing Vikings After First Preseason Game

The Vikings have been impressed with their first-round pick, former Pitt Panthers receiver Jordan Addison.

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers wideout Jordan Addison made a strong first impression with the Minnesota Vikings in limited action during his first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. 

Addison linked up with former Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell for a diving, 22-yard reception in the first half, but his most impressive reception was ruled an incompletion, when it appeared he got enough feet in bounds to complete a second, 17-yard reception in the redzone. This doesn't come as any surprise to his teammates, who have been wowed by the blue-chip receiver who spent two of his three college seasons at Pitt. 

“What’s really been impressive is what he mentally was able to absorb in the spring without getting to really take any reps as we let him kind of settle in,” O’Connell told Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame. “He was dealing with a little issue, but moving on from that, he showed up to camp with a mindset that he wanted to be in that first huddle from Day 1. He’s not demonstrated anything other than confirmation of why he should be out there with the guys.

The "little issue" O'Connell referenced was a reckless driving charge from July, but it doesn't appear that Addison has allowed himself to become distracted. Addison has looked every bit deserving of his first-round grade and has skills that aren't obvious to the naked eye looking at his 5'11, 175-pound frame. 

“He’s got so much natural ability, balance, body control, speed, burst, quickness," O'Connell said. "He’s incredibly gifted catching the football, probably doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to catch and be grounded, and get yards after the catch. Ultimately, what’s he done in the run game for a guy that isn’t the biggest, his willingness to go put his hands on safeties and block in the run game has given him an all-down, every-down type of feel to go along with Justin [Jefferson] and K.J. [Osborn].”

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