K.J. Osborn

Osborn signed a free agent deal with the Patriots. It may not be difficult for the receiver to secure a significant role as an outside receiver. Osborn was a full-time player for the Vikings last year. Even though Jordan Addision was a more talented receiver, Osborn was often on the field more than Addison because of his exceptional blocking skills. Although Osborn had a pair of games with at least 95 yards, he often produced in the 30-40 yard range. It’s possible that Osborn is asked to be more of a receiver in New England. However, New England added Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in this year’s draft. Along with Kendrick Bourne making his way back from a knee injury, Osborn may see little time on the field if he’s the No. 4 receiver.

A 2020 fifth-round pick, Osborn essentially redshirted his rookie season before working as Minnesota's No. 3 receiver the next two years, playing in every game and running slightly more than half his routes from the slot. He put up 50-655-7 on 82 targets in 2021 and 60-650-5 on 90 targets in 2022, but further volume growth is far from guaranteed after Minnesota drafted Jordan Addison in the first round this spring to replace free-agent loss Adam Thielen. At 5-11, 203, with 4.48 timed speed, Osborn is much heavier than Addison and just as fast but without the massive college production and impressive change-of-direction ability. Osborn might be stuck as the No. 3 receiver again, and this time in an offense that seemingly wants to use more two-TE sets after trading for T.J. Hockenson last fall and giving Josh Oliver a surprising $8.2 million guarantee this spring. The upside scenario for Osborn's volume involves an injury to target-hog Justin Jefferson, which would seriously hurt the quality of the Minnesota offense.

A 2020 fifth-round pick, Osborn finished his rookie season without a target but then seized the No. 3 WR job in Year 2. Prior to a Week 7 bye, he averaged 4.3 catches for 51.8 yards on 5.8 targets, with two TDs in six games, giving the Vikings a legit third option behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. After the bye, Osborn had a brutal five-game stretch with only 54 yards on 12 targets, but he then rebounded in the final six weeks with five more TDs and 290 more yards (48.3 yards). While unlikely to repeat that rate of TDs (seven on 50 receptions), Osborn does have the upside to take on more volume if Jefferson and/or Thielen misses significant time this year.

The 2020 fifth-round draft pick Osborn found work as a returner last season. He'll face competition in training camp from Dede Westbrook for the punt return job he held much of last season. He'll also compete for a depth receiver role.