Vikings rookie Jordan Addison confident he can fill Adam Thielen's shoes

Jordan Addison is ready to live up to the expectations of him in the receiving corps of the Minnesota Vikings. In his mind, he has everything available to him in order to help the franchise fill the hole that Adam Thielen left after nine seasons.

During a recent appearance on the NFL Network, Addison says he isn’t one for comparing apples to apples. However, he has all the confidence in producing in Thielen’s stead after the Pro-Bowler left for Carolina this offseason.

“I ain’t going to get into it too much, comparing. I just know what I can do,” Addison said. “I’m confident, and I am going to fill his shoes.”

There are several reasons that the rookie believes that he can eventually accomplish the task of replacing Thielen.

For one, during that same interview, he said that he thinks he ended up with the ‘perfect organization’ in Minnesota. They have a role and need for him with Thielen joining the Panthers. That’s why the Vikings scooped him up with the 23rd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

For two, Addison has the skill set as one of this draft class’s most talented receivers. Over three collegiate seasons at Pittsburgh and USC, he finished with 219 receptions for over 3,100 receiving yards to go with 30 touchdowns overall. He went on to win the Biletnikoff Award in 2021 with stats of 100 catches, 1,593 receiving yards, and 18 total touchdowns.

Finally, for three, Addison commented how he has one heck of a mentor to learn from in All-Pro and Pro Bowl WR Justin Jefferson. He said that Jefferson has provided him with a very solid blueprint for him to pick things up from as he prepares himself for success in the NFL.

“Oh, man, it’s just been all learning for me. Not too much talking,” said Addison. “Just out there on the field watching what he do. Just trying to pick his brain to see why he wants to run his routes the way he do.”

Thielen took career totals of 534 receptions, 6,684 receiving yards, and 55 receiving touchdowns with him to Carolina. In 2022, he was behind only Jefferson in every major receptions stat for Minnesota.

Those are big shoes to fill. From where Addison is standing, though, he will be more than capable of making things happen, especially as Jefferson’s new running mate, for the Viking offense in 2023.