The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with wide receiver K.J. Osborn, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The terms of the deal have not yet been reported.
Osborn joins JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor, and Kendrick Bourne in the Patriot wide receiver room. Each of the latter players also re-upped their contracts with the team this offseason.
K.J. Osborn Career Summary Prior to the New England Patriots
Osborn was an under-the-radar prospect, playing college ball at both Buffalo and Miami. The Michigan native earned All-Second Team MAC honors in 2018 before transferring to the Hurricanes. He then led Miami in receiving in 2019, recording 50 catches for 547 yards and five touchdowns. Now he’ll catch passes for the New England Patriots.
Osborn was taken by the Vikings as a fifth-round draft choice in 2020. While he was relegated to a special teams role as a rookie, the 5’11 slot maven made a name for himself the following year. He registered 655 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021, establishing himself as the third receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. He enjoyed a similar year in 2022, posting a career-high 60 catches. However, the four-year veteran slightly regressed season in 2023, posting just 540 yards and three touchdowns.
The #Patriots are signing #Vikings WR KJ Osborn.
In 3 seasons Osborn has 158 Receptions, 1,845 yards, and 15 TD. pic.twitter.com/6ds6CC2KcQ
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 17, 2024
How Will the New England Patriots Utilize Him?
Osborn has a chance to establish himself as the primary target in New England. The newest Patriot was outshined in Minnesota by several premier players over the years, including Jefferson, Thielen, tight end T.J. Hockenson, and 2023 rookie standout Jordan Addison. However, Foxboro doesn’t house nearly the same level of skill-position talent. The other receivers are serviceable but hardly elite. Look for Osborn to approach career-high target numbers this season and beyond.
New England Patriots Outlook
The New England Patriots project to be a team that will see some growing pains in 2024. With a new head coach and most likely a rookie quarterback, don’t expect them to be contending for the division title in the immediate future. However, Jerod Mayo and his staff won’t be under any pressure to win right away, as the franchise must rebuild in the wake of the Mac Jones era.
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Joshua is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. He started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper. When he’s not watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or writing a screenplay.
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