Jordan Addison GameScope Film Review (FREE PREVIEW)
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Class: 2023
School: USC
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 175 lbs
Projected 40 yd dash: sub 4.4
Strength: Speed Implementation
Weakness: Size/Physicality
Draft Projection: Mid Round 1
The primary value of Jordan Addison's game is the way he can be deployed as a speed threat. This was made clear in a USC offense that utilized him to attack all levels of the field. Addison's fantastic feel for defender leverage allows him to maximize the value of his speed.
Below is a simple example of the type of juice he has. Addison blows by the CB on the post. After he hits his break inside, he's fast enough to restack on top of the defender. Just a casual 75 yard quick strike. Schematically simple, little protection required. Speed kills.
Some speed athletes are straight ahead track sprinters - exclusively good for flys and posts. Addison does not lose speed through any phase of his route transitions. His breakdowns are flawlessly efficient. He does not waste a single step. His route tree is unlimited.
Teams like to mess around with positioning throughout the game. They can give their guy a deep shot from the boundary or throw him in the backfield for some novelty. But on 3rd down, when you need a guarantee, teams love to put their stud in the slot.
Addison makes this win against inside leverage look easy. He doesn't need any fancy jukes at the top. He does not waste any time dancing. He slashes across the defender's face. Pure short-area explosiveness. No need to play with your food like Garrett Wilson and Jerry Jeudy. Take control now.
Similar story here, as Addison defeats disadvantageous leverage. He's working the speed out, but the DB presents with outside leverage. This time, he works an inside stem to open the DB's hips inside. Once he's sold to the inside, Addison rips back out, so fast the defender can't keep his footing. Note the speed with which Addison gets his head around and works back down to secure the ball.
Dude is butter bending the corner.
Addison also recognizes and manipulates zone defenders well. Here he uses a pace modifier - float hop - to freeze the linebacker, so he can burst over the top. Again, no time is wasted. He doesn't allow contact to slow him. He gets exactly where he needs to be, when he needs to be there.
You'll get an occasional drop here or there, but nothing was concerning in the hands department. Addison can make plays along the sideline, he can leap up & secure it across the middle, and he's generally sure-handed.
The main concern with Addison is his ability to handle physicality. His speed is typically enough to keep defenders off him, but in tight scenarios on the goal line, he must create lateral shear if he wants to win. There were a few reps where laziness with his release strategy resulted in being erased by the defender.
I say "lazy" because he has all the release tools, he just needs to make sure he implements them to avoid getting bullied. Devonta Smith gets away with being 175 lbs because he's meticulously disciplined with his approach to each rep.
Like Devonta, Addison has an ace up his sleeve to get him out of tight situations: lightning quickness. Here, he slides immediately and stacks in a hurry. Beautiful route.
Here he wins inside position, leans into the defender, then whips his head inside to separate. Ultra clean action from start to finish. Exactly what you want to see on an in-breaking route.
When it comes to Yards After Catch, we can get a good idea of who a player is by looking at the stats, but actual YAC can be baked into usage. How much does a player get fed screens, end arounds? Addison got plenty at USC and has the speed to translate this utility over to the next level. When we watch the athlete with the ball in his hands we can see how much he creates for himself. I like to look for creative problem-solving or unique instincts. On this rep, Addison forces a missed tackle by rapidly taking ownership over his momentum. As he approaches the oncoming safety, he's being twisted around by the trailing defender. He effectively converts the twist from the defender into a juke - complete with head fake and everything. Brilliant instinctual conversion of momentum.
This trait separates Addison from a Chris Olave. Olave had plenty of opportunities on screens at Ohio State, but he doesn't know how to make someone miss. That component has to be in your DNA, it's not often taught. Coach gives the fast guy the ball, and the ones that rock with it get the ball more.
Jordan Addison is Tier 1 WR prospect who will end up with an 80+ Film Grade. He projects as a borderline WR1/2 in the mold of Calvin Ridley/TY Hilton. The complete Film Grades and Pre-Draft Rookie Guide will drop early April. Join FFA's Film Subscription to get early access to these Prospect Film Reviews and a discount on the 2023 Rookie Guide.
