Second-year Vikings player reportedly had team buzzing in 2024 OTAs

Last year, Jordan Addison became the ninth wide receiver in Minnesota Vikings history to be selected in the first round of an NFL Draft. Addison had a solid rookie season in 2023, but this offseason, he has apparently been taking full advantage of Justin Jefferson not being in attendance for most of the Vikings' OTA practice sessions.

On Monday, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer shared the following about how the last few months have gone for the second-year Minnesota receiver.

"Jordan Addison’s growth [this offseason] has created buzz in the Vikings’ facility.

With [Justin] Jefferson away for most of the offseason program, Addison’s progress really showed up—he came back physically stronger in April while maintaining the burst and body control that made him a first-round pick in 2023.

And without Jefferson around, it was easy to visualize how Addison has the ability to be a real No. 1 down the line, and create a pick-your-poison problem for teams trying to defend the former USC standout, Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson all at once."

With the Week 1 status of Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson still up in the air as he recovers from a knee injury, Addison could potentially begin the 2024 season with a bigger role in the offense, and it sounds like he's more than ready for the possibility.

What should the Minnesota Vikings expect from Jordan Addison in 2024?

In 17 games with Minnesota as a rookie last season, Addison finished with 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. Heading into the 2024 campaign, there are multiple reasons why it's fair to expect that he can accumulate at least 1,000 receiving yards in his second year with the Vikings.

As it was previously mentioned, Hockenson's status for the beginning of the 2024 season is still unknown, and if he has to miss time, that should create some additional opportunities for Addison.

Minnesota's 2023 first-round pick should also be able to benefit from the departure of wide receiver K.J. Osborn in free agency earlier this year. Osborn was targeted 75 times in 17 games with the Vikings last season, so some of those targets will probably end up being distributed to Addison during the 2024 campaign.

In addition, it seems important to point out that Addison was still able to put up solid numbers last season despite Minnesota using four different starting quarterbacks throughout the campaign.

The Vikings could still use multiple starting signal-callers in 2024, especially with the team drafting former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in April, but it's difficult to imagine them using four different starters under center again next season. Addison should be able to benefit from this expected increase in stability at the quarterback position in 2024 as well.

Basically, unless Addison has to miss time due to injury, he has a very good chance to improve upon his rookie numbers when he returns to the field for the Vikings during the upcoming season.

More Vikings News and Analysis