Kirk Cousins makes strong statement about Vikings' first-round draft choice
The Minnesota Vikings might have the best wide receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson, but that didn't stop the defending NFC North champs from drafting a player who could join Jefferson in that conversation one day. Minnesota selected USC wide receiver Jordan Addison with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. […]
The Minnesota Vikings might have the best wide receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson, but that didn't stop the defending NFC North champs from drafting a player who could join Jefferson in that conversation one day.
Minnesota selected USC wide receiver Jordan Addison with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Addison, who started his career at Pittsburgh (where he won the Biletnikoff Award in 2021), is probably the best route runner in this year's draft class.
After the selection was made, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins appeared on Bleacher Report's live draft show and he made it clear that he likes the addition of Addison to Minnesota's offense.
"I think that he is a natural wide receiver," said Cousins. "I've played with some guys throughout the years who were great athletes. They could run well, they could jump well, but playing the position of wide receiver just didn't come naturally to them. And you'll always want that natural receiver over a great athlete. And not to say he isn't a great athlete, but a guy who can attack the football with great hands, adjust to the ball well, run great routes — that's pretty exciting to be able to get that kind of polish right away when he shows up for OTAs."
Cousins pointed out that adding Addison to the roster will take some of the pressure off Jefferson.
"We targeted Justin a lot last year and for good reason — he's one of the elite receivers in football," explained Cousins. "But this should help take some pressure off of him, along with KJ Osborn and TJ Hockenson. But the more that we can divert coverage away from Justin, that's only going to help Jets (Jefferson) with his ability to wreck the game in a good way."
Cousins also shared a welcome message for Addison.
"Welcome to the team first of all, but more importantly, I'm ready to get to work," said Cousins. "You know, there's a lot of work up ahead and I think he's gonna love it in our locker room. We got a great group. He's gonna fit right in. And if he's a worker, if he loves football, if he's ready to commit to being the best he can be, he's gonna be a great fit. And excited to get him out here and see what he can do."
The Vikings are poised to have one of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL with Addison in the mix. And it sounds like Cousins couldn't be happier about it.
