After missing out on the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes, the New England Patriots appeared out of the market for wide receiver help. However, the Patriots have found a solid wideout who could be a nice addition to what they already have.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Sunday that former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn is signing with the Patriots. The 26-year-old Osborn has emerged as a good WR3 over the last few years with the Vikings.
Former #Vikings WR K.J. Osborn is signing with the #Patriots, sources tell me and @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/PD2ByGVKPh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2024
Last season with Minnesota, Osborn was the No. 3 wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson and rookie Jordan Addison. The veteran wideout recorded 48 receptions (75 targets) for 540 yards and three touchdowns.
If you took Osborn’s stats from 2023 with the Vikings and compared them to the Patriots wide receivers, he would be their second-leading receiver in yards behind Demario Douglas (561 yards) and third in receptions behind Douglas (49) and Ezekiel Elliott (51).
The Patriots won’t be looking for Osborn to be their leading receiver in 2024. But he’ll join Juju Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne as the elder statesmen of the Patriots’ receiver group, who will try to bounce back after a rough 2023 campaign.
New England is a long shot to win the AFC East next season (+1700 on FanDuel Sportsbook), but it’s good to see them making small signings to be better than last year.
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