A source confirmed to the Herald that the Patriots will be bringing in free-agent wide receiver K.J. Osborn.
Osborn, 26, was still one of the best available free agent wide receivers. The four-year pro has stayed with the Vikings since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft from the University of Miami, after transferring from the University of Buffalo. He has made 158 catches for 1,845 yards with 15 touchdowns in the last three seasons.
It’s a a one-year deal, per ESPN.
Osborn is now part of the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart alongside Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor, Kawaan Baker, and T.J. Luther. The Patriots have re-signed Bourne and Reagor, and cut DeVante Parker during this offseason.
Osborn would have been the second-highest in catches and yards for the Patriots last season with his 48 catches and 540 yards in 2023. He also scored three receiving touchdowns.
Osborn, who’s 5-foot-11, 203 pounds, spent 556 of his 821 offensive snaps outside and 262 snaps in the slot last season. He was more frequently used in the slot in 2021 and 2022 when he was more effective.
At the NFL Scouting Combine in 2020, he posted a 4.48-second 40-yard dash with a 1.58-second 10-yard split, a 7.00-second 3-cone drill, a 4.35-second short shuttle, a 37.5-inch vertical leap, and a 10-feet, 3-inch broad jump, while managing to bench 225 pounds 18 times.
Last season, Osborn had the eighth-highest drop rate at 12.7% according to PFF. However, he only dropped two passes in the first three seasons of his career.
Osborn rescued a man from a fiery car in Austin, Texas, last March.
The Patriots have not made a big move at wide receiver this offseason, with Calvin Ridley joining the Titans and Keenan Allen being traded from the Chargers to the Bears. The upcoming draft is expected to have strong wide receiver talent, and the Patriots have the third and 34th overall picks next month.
Former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup and former Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams, both recently released, are among the top available receivers. Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was franchised, has reportedly asked for a trade.
