Mock draft from former NFL executive has Saints picking USC’s Jordan Addison

It is believed that Addison’s combine and pro day results have reduced his draft value. Late first round is the new consensus.

Jordan Addison is picking up some momentum to the New Orleans Saints in the latest round of 2023 NFL mock drafts. Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum thinks the Saints could take Addison at No. 29 in the first round.

The USC Trojans wide receiver started his college career with the Pitt Panthers, where he was one of the nation’s leading receivers in 2021, helping boost Kenny Pickett’s draft stock into the first round.

Addison was an explosive playmaker for the Trojans during his career at USC. Last season, he recorded 59 catches for 875 yards and eight touchdowns. His best season came when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2021. He tallied 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns.

His numbers in 2021 were way more impressive with Kenny Pickett at Pitt. As the main attraction, Addison caught 69.4% of his targets at an average depth of target of 12.4 yards, including a contested catch rate of 55.6%. He totaled 1,593 yards with 17 touchdown receptions and converted a first down on 65 of his 100 catches that year.

Addison weighed in at just 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds, with 30.9-inch arms. He didn’t do very well in timing drills at the NFL scouting combine or USC’s rain-drenched pro day, running the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds and clocking the three-cone drill in 7.05 seconds. It’s hardly the athletic profile of a first-round receiver prospect.

That has sent his projections toward the latter half of the first round, reducing the odds he will be taken in the top 10 to 15 picks.

[mm-video type=video id=01gx6c0rz95nspzpjxn0 playlist_id=none player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gx6c0rz95nspzpjxn0/01gx6c0rz95nspzpjxn0-d5f46b4a8b274b8fe5e5e899d04ae94d.jpg]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=696091895]