Miami Hurricanes wide receiver KJ Osborn is expected to be the return specialist after the Minnesota Vikings chose the Michigan native in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
KJ Osborn earned the respect of the Miami football program and NFL scouts after leading the Hurricanes in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and punt returns as a graduate transfer in 2019. Osborn was chosen in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
KJ Osborn is viewed as a return specialist and slot receiver by Vikings General Manager Rick Speilman. The Minnesota receiving corps is in a transition after recently trading star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills. Minnesota used the first-round pick obtained in that trade to draft Justin Jefferson from Florida.
The new go-to receiver for the Vikings becomes veteran Adam Thielen who missed six games in 2019 with a hamstring injury. Veteran Tajae Sharpe is expected to be the third starter at WR in Minnesota in 2020 with Thielen and Jefferson. Osborn is already plugged in as Sharpe’s backup per ESPN.
Sharpe had 25 receptions for 329 yards and four TDs with the Tennessee Titans in 2019 in a run-heavy offense. Minnesota was primarily a rushing offense in 2019, but with Kirk Cousins at quarterback are more adept throwing the football than Tennessee.
OUTSTANDING work ethic. Cant ask for a better person 🙌🙌🙌. He made everyone around him better and will do that at the @Vikings . Proud of you @KJ_Osborn 💪 https://t.co/fYvTGOyzEK
— David Feeley (@Coach_DFeeley) April 25, 2020
Minnesota was 30th in passing attempts, 23rd in completions, 14th in TDs and had the fifth least amount of interceptions in 2019. The Vikings have an efficient passing offense. Osborn should fit in well with what the Vikings are doing. The ability Osborn has returning kicks will help him have a good NFL career.
"“K.J. Osborn, the receiver that we took is a slot the receiver.I know when our coaches evaluated him, they thought he could continue to improve as a receiver, but his value’s going to come as a potential punt returner for us and we think he has a legitimate [chance] winning the punt return and kick return job with his explosive speed and power.”"
The endorsement by Speilman courtesy of Inside the U is a good indication that KJ Osborn is likely to make the Vikings. Osborn also made an impact on Miami football strength and conditioning coordinator David Feeley. Feeley tweeted about Osborn’s work ethic and what a great person he is.
In this era, a player’s character is critically important with information being disseminated quickly. Osborn quickly became the leader in a young Miami WR room when he transferred in January of 2019. Being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings is a perfect situation from Osborn who will earn the chance for playing time.