Meet the Newest New England Patriot: K.J. Osborn

The New England Patriots continue to add depth to their wide receiver room. Free agent K.J. Osborn agreed to sign with New England, according to reports. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was the first to report the signing.

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

K.J. Osborn

Minnesota selected Osborn in the fifth round (No. 176 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He played college football for Buffalo before transferring to Miami for his final season. At the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine Osborn solidified a draft spot for himself. He ranked as the third most athletic wide receiver in the draft.

Osborn measures 5-foot-11.5 and weighs 203 pounds. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the combine, giving him adequate but not elite speed.

The Vikings activated Osborn for 17 games as a rookie, but he played zero snaps on offense. He was their primary kickoff returner, occasional punt returner, and a special teams core player. His sophomore year he became a significant piece in Minnesota’s offensive arsenal. He averaged 53 receptions, 615 yards, and five touchdowns over the past three seasons. Those numbers would have led the 2023 New England Patriots in receptions while finishing second in the other two categories.

Patriots Wide Receivers

K.J. Osborn joins a wide receiver room with the New England Patriots that has nine players now under contract for 2024. In addition to the newest signing, the wide receiver room includes Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor, T.J. Luther, and Kawaan Baker. He and Reagor were teammates in Minnesota. New England will likely look to continue adding additional talent at the position before training camp arrives.