New Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison received a load of praise for his route running during the pre-draft process, and for good reason.
Addison ran some of the best routes during his college career, showcasing the technique and footwork that NFL teams covet. Some draft analysts even went as far as to say that Addison had the best route running in the entire draft class.
Addison’s route-running is likely one of the reasons why the Minnesota Vikings selected Addison with the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
During his introductory press conference, Addison offered some insight into his ability to run crisp routes.
“When I’m running routes, I look at it like I’m an artist and I’m out there painting pictures.”
Addison’s route-running ability has likely developed over time, but playing a season under former Pitt wide receiver coach Brennan Marion (now at UNLV) probably helped.
Marion has long equated playing wide receiver to being a basketball player, even going as far as to say that playing wide receiver is like “playing basketball on grass.”
- “If you watch any elite basketball player, and if you’ve played basketball, you know you can set up your shot with just a jab step,” Marion said during a coaching clinic. “We always talk about how it’s all about space and separation. So how does a guy — Jerry Rice, Davante Adams — that aren’t 4.2, 4.3 guys, how do they get open?”
Addison won the Biletnikoff Award — an award given to the most outstanding wide receiver — under Marion, finishing with 1,593 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.