K.J. Osborn An Early Leader Among Patriots Receivers
Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn, who is heading into his fifth NFL season in 2024, has positioned himself as an early leader among New England Patriots receivers this offseason. Osborn will need to build on his offseason progress in training camp this summer, but he was usually first through drills during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss believes that Osborn, slot receiver Demario Douglas and rookie second-rounder Ja'Lynn Polk could easily be the team's top three targets to open the year if everyone is healthy. And Kendrick Bourne (knee) is expected to be healthy as he returns from a torn ACL and should be part of the mix as well. The 27-year-old Osborn should be used as more of a traditional receiver in New England, but he still has a ways to go to become fantasy relevant in standard 12-team redraft leagues.
The New England Patriots have agreed to terms on a deal with wide receiver K.J. Osborn on Sunday. The two sides have agreed on a one-year deal for the upcoming 2024 campaign. The former fifth-round pick has made a name for himself over the last few seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Most recently, Osborn finished with 48 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns during the 2023 season. He has been a viable option to the Vikings offense and should give a boost to the Pats receiver room. He'll be stuck competing for snaps with Kendrick Bourne, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Demario Douglas this upcoming season.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn was quiet in the final game of the regular season in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Detroit Lions, catching just two passes for nine yards on his four targets. It was an improvement over his zero-target game in Week 17, but it was still a weak performance for the 26-year-old to wrap up the season. It was also a step back from his two previous campaigns, as he finished with 48 catches on 75 targets for only 540 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games played. We knew Osborn was going to be on the backburner in 2023 when the Vikings took Jordan Addison in the first round to pair with Justin Jefferson as a lethal 1-2 punch at wideout. Osborn will enter free agency in March, and his 2024 fantasy value will be determined by where he lands.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn was not targeted at all in the 33-10 loss on Sunday night against the division-rival Green Bay Packers. Osborn played 62 percent of the offensive snaps but really had no chance in a game in which the Packers defense pretty much completely shut down Minnesota's offense. It was especially disappointing after Osborn had five catches on seven targets for 95 yards and his third touchdown of the year in last week's loss to the Detroit Lions. But with rookie first-rounder Jordan Addison (ankle) playing after getting injured in Week 16, Osborn disappeared. The 26-year-old cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups in the Week 18 regular season finale in a rematch against the Lions in Detroit.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn could find himself in a larger role in Week 17 with T.J. Hockenson (knee) sidelined and Jordan Addison (ankle) questionable for the team's matchup with the Packers. Osborn caught five of seven targets for 95 yards and a score last week against the Lions, but he will be catching passes from rookie quarterback Jaren Hall in this one as Nick Mullens heads to the bench. Osborn will be at best a FLEX option in this one, but if Addison is active then he will be an extremely risky player to slot into lineups during championship weekend.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn reeled in five of his seven targets for 95 yards and a touchdown in the team's 30-24 Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions. Osborn saw an increase in usage as both wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) left the game and did not return. Osborn has been a shaky fantasy play so far this season, but would potentially see a bigger role if both Addison and Hockenson can't suit up for the team's Week 17 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. If neither Addison nor Hockenson plays, Osborn can be viewed as a potential WR3 option.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn had four catches for just 15 yards in the narrow win over Vegas on Sunday. Justin Jefferson (chest) was ruled out early in the contest, so Osborn had more catches than the other Vikings' receivers. Of course, the 26-year-old hasn't been the most consistent fantasy option all season. But considering Jefferson may not play in Week 15 versus the Bengals, Osborn deserves attention as a streaming option for those participating in deeper formats, especially since he was targeted seven times on Sunday.
K.J. Osborn Secures Three Catches In Monday Night Loss
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn secured three of his four targets for 34 yards in Monday night's upsetting 12-10 loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears to close out Week 12 action. This was Osborn's last chance for an elevated role in Minnesota's passing attack, but the Vikings offense struggled mightily all night against an inspired Bears defense. It didn't help that quarterback Joshua Dobbs was not on his game and had four interceptions. Minnesota will now go on their bye and All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson (hamstring) will return from Injured Reserve in Week 14 to face the Las Vegas Raiders. It means that Osborn will be pushed further down the receiving pecking order. He can be dropped in 12-team redraft leagues at this point.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn could once again be in for an important role in the Minnesota passing game as Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Monday night. Osborn struggled in his first game back from a concussion in Week 11, as he caught just one pass on two targets for seven yards. The speedy wideout figures to be third in line for targets even if Jefferson is inactive, as rookie wideout Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson figure to be the focal point of the Minnesota passing attack. Not to mention, Osborn hasn't had much of a chance to build a rapport with his new quarterback Joshua Dobbs, so fantasy managers should treat the 26-year-old as nothing more than a dart throw versus the Bears in Week 12.
K.J. Osborn Catches Just One Pass In Return From Concussion
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn suffered a concussion in Week 9 and was forced to miss the Week 10 win over the New Orleans Saints, but he returned on Sunday night in Week 11 to face the Denver Broncos, only to catch one of his two targets for a seven-yard gain. It was the 26-year-old's worst performance of the season, and it's not like he wasn't on the field at all, as he played 71 of a possible 75 offensive snaps across from rookie wideout Jordan Addison. All-Pro pass-catcher Justin Jefferson (hamstring) could come off Injured Reserve to play in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears on Monday night on Nov. 27, which would push Osborn even further down the receiver pecking order in Minnesota.
