The Patriots are bringing in some much-needed depth at the position.
The Patriots are reportedly signing veteran wide receiver K.J. Osborn. Per ESPN, the agreement is for a single year. The 26-year-old provides the Patriots with a dependable outside receiver and has been a solid pass catcher for the Minnesota Vikings.
Osborn, a 2020 fifth-round selection, has averaged 615 receiving yards in the last three NFL seasons. For the Vikings, the 5-foot-11 receiver has been a reliable No. 3 receiver. He hauled in 48 passes for 540 yards and three touchdowns in the previous season. He had a career-high 60 receptions in 2022, along with 650 yards and five touchdowns.
When Osborn caught 50 catches for a career-high 655 yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2021, it was his most productive season to date.
Osborn is adaptable enough to line up both in the slot and outside. He played 556 snaps out wide last year compared to 262 snaps in the slot, per Pro Football Focus. During his four years in the NFL, Osborn has caught 64 percent of his targets.
Osborn has served as a third receiver while playing in Minnesota. For the past three seasons, he has been behind All-Pro Justin Jefferson in playing time. Osborn also spent two seasons playing behind Jordan Addison last year, as well as Adam Thielen.
As a teammate both on and off the field, this receiver is reportedly a decent one. Osborn assisted in rescuing a man from a flaming automobile last year. He has also received praise for his willingness to block in the run-and-pass game and his altruism.
“K.J. has a challenging role,” Jefferson stated in 2022 to The Athletic. “Because he doesn’t receive the number of balls he desires.” Naturally, he would like to play a larger role and contribute more than he has (in the passing game), but each time his name is called and the ball is passed to him, he always comes through. He’s a fantastic teammate, too.
Osborn has amassed 1,845 total receiving yards over the previous three years. To put that figure in context, consider that it represents the most for any receiver on the Patriots roster throughout that period.
The Patriots now have a seasoned pass-catcher, which is exactly what the team needed. The Patriots cut DeVante Parker this summer. They made an “all-in” effort to sign former All-Pro Calvin Ridley, but the Tennessee Titans, who offered the receiver $23 million annually, outbid them.
The Patriots signed receiver/returner Jalen Reagor back and re-signed Kendrick Bourne, who just suffered an ACL tear. Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, T.J. Luther, and Kawaan Baker are more players on the Patriots.
Antonio Gibson, a running back, and tight end Austin Hooper have also joined the team. It’s likely that the Patriots will keep looking for offensive support.
The first to report on Osborn’s signing was the NFL Network.
