40 Facts About K.J. Osborn

Early Life and College Career

K.J. Osborn's journey to the NFL began in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and took him through two significant college programs.

1. Birthplace and Early Life: K.J. Osborn was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He played his high school football at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

2. College Career: Osborn attended the University of Buffalo for four years, earning All-Mac honors in 2018. He then transferred to the University of Miami for his final season in 2019.

3. College Stats: During his time at Miami, Osborn recorded 50 receptions for 547 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned 16 punts for 255 yards and 10 kickoffs for 201 yards.

NFL Draft and Physical Attributes

Osborn's entry into the NFL and his physical stats are noteworthy.

4. NFL Draft: K.J. Osborn was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

5. Height and Weight: Osborn stands at 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds.

6. Arms Length and Hands Size: He has arms that measure 31 1/4 inches long and hands that are 9 1/4 inches in size.

NFL Experience and Skills

Osborn has developed a reputation for his speed, route running, and ability to make contested catches.

7. Experience: As of 2024, Osborn has five years of NFL experience.

8. Speed: Osborn has a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds, which is better than average and in the 64th percentile for wide receivers.

9. Route Running: Despite not being an elite natural separator, Osborn has made significant strides in refining his route running. He has a variety of releases off the line of scrimmage and can create separation at the top of his routes.

10. Contested Catches: Osborn has a knack for making contested catches. He is 4-of-7 on contested catches through six weeks in the 2021 season, a higher career contested-catch rate than Justin Jefferson or Adam Thielen.

11. Drops: Remarkably, Osborn has not recorded a single drop on 26 regular-season catches or seven preseason catches.

Role and Impact on the Field

Osborn's role as a slot receiver and his effectiveness as a blocker have been crucial for his teams.

12. Role as a Slot Receiver: Osborn's role as a slot wide receiver provides tremendous value for fantasy purposes. Players in this position often look like values at their ADPs due to their lack of consistency but ability to provide high-end spike weeks.

13. Blocker Effectiveness: Osborn is an effective blocker, often tasked with chipping defensive ends in pass protection. This willingness to do the dirty work in the run game has played a big part in the Vikings' rushing success.

Personal Life and Offseason Activities

Off the field, Osborn's experiences and activities have shaped his character and focus.

14. Personal Life: K.J. Osborn is known for his strong work ethic and attitude. These traits have contributed to his meteoric development as a receiver.

15. Offseason Activities: During the offseason, Osborn has been involved in various activities, including a church mission to Africa where he witnessed miracles. This experience was life-changing for him.

16. Miracle Witness: In Africa, Osborn saw a blind child given the ability to see and a woman with a bad back suddenly stand up straight. These experiences have had a profound impact on his life.

17. Life-Changing Experience: The events in Africa were described by Osborn as “life-changing.” This personal awakening has influenced his approach to football, making him more focused and determined.

Fantasy Production and Stats

Osborn's fantasy production and various stats highlight his reliability and impact on the field.

18. Fantasy Production: In the 2021 season, Osborn caught seven passes for 76 yards in Week 1 against the Bengals and five catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against the Cardinals. However, his high-end fantasy production was not sustainable over the course of a 17-game season.

19. Fantasy Ranking: Despite not dominating in any particular metric, Osborn proved himself to be a sure-handed wide receiver. He ranked no higher than 28th in any of the efficiency metrics measured at PlayerProfiler.com.

20. Snap Count: Osborn saw the 23rd most snaps (292) of any wide receiver out of the slot in the 2021 season, showcasing his reliability and importance to the Vikings' offense.

21. Air Yards: He finished the 2021 season with 863 air yards, indicating his ability to create separation and gain significant yardage on deep targets.

22. Deep Targets: Osborn was able to utilize his speed on deep balls with 16 deep targets, ranking 34th in this metric.

23. Drop Rate: His drop rate of one drop on 26 regular-season catches is impressive, highlighting his sure-handedness and ability to make tough catches.

24. YAC Above Expectation: Osborn currently leads the Vikings in YAC above expectation, narrowly edging out Justin Jefferson. This is due to his ability to power through tacklers and gain extra yards after the catch.

Blocking and Route Running

Osborn's blocking skills and route running have been essential to his success.

25. Block Recognition: His willingness and effectiveness as a blocker are notable. He has frequently been tasked with chipping defensive ends like Myles Garrett, Chandler Jones, or Brian Burns in pass protection.

26. Pin Block Against Sam Hubbard: Osborn's ability to sustain a block against a 265-pound defensive end like Sam Hubbard is impressive. This pin block was crucial in a pin-pull sweep, showcasing his strength and determination.

27. Run Game Success: The Vikings' rushing success can be attributed in part to Osborn's willingness to do the dirty work in the run game. He allows the team to run 11 personnel effectively by blocking defensive ends.

28. Route Running Magic: Osborn has made significant strides in refining his route running, particularly evident in his release off the line of scrimmage. He has choppy, quick footwork that helps him swat away press attempts or armbars as he bursts upfield.

29. Separation Creation: Despite not being an elite natural separator, Osborn does a good job varying the tempo of his routes and using his short, choppy footwork to explode out of his breaks. He also uses his size in the stems of his routes to lean into defenders before breaking away, creating space upfield.

30. Comeback Route: On comeback routes, Osborn throttles down upfield to create separation. This ability to control his speed and create space is crucial in tight situations.

Memorable Moments and Connections

Osborn has shared memorable moments with teammates and made significant plays.

31. Viral NFL Honors Moment: Osborn and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins shared their reactions to a viral NFL Honors moment during an episode of "Super Bowl Live." This moment highlighted their camaraderie and shared experiences on the field.

32. Memorable Plays: Osborn has been involved in several memorable plays, including receiving a touchdown pass from Nick Mullens and making impressive catches during Vikings' games. These plays showcase his skill and reliability as a receiver.

33. Kirk Cousins' Connection: The connection between Kirk Cousins and K.J. Osborn is significant. Cousins' precise passes to Osborn have resulted in significant gains and memorable touchdowns for the Vikings.

Recent Updates and Future with the Patriots

Osborn's recent move to the New England Patriots and his potential impact on the team.

34. T.J. Hockenson Injury Update: In 2023, T.J. Hockenson, the Vikings' tight end, was set to play despite a rib injury. Meanwhile, Osborn had passed concussion protocol but his availability remained uncertain.

35. Jaren Hall Concussion: Minnesota Vikings' rookie quarterback Jaren Hall suffered a concussion in his debut start, stepping in for the injured Kirk Cousins during a recent victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

36. Offseason Deal with Patriots: In March 2024, Osborn signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, bolstering their depth at the wide receiver position.

37. Early Impact with Patriots: Osborn's emergence as a veteran presence in the Patriots' offseason program is generating buzz. His strong performance is a promising sign for the team, particularly if they are to field a rookie quarterback.

38. Competition Among Wide Receivers: New England Patriots' head coach Jerod Mayo anticipates a fierce competition among the team's wide receivers, comprising seasoned veterans and fresh rookies, to establish the pecking order during the upcoming summer.

39. Confidence in Quarterback Situation: Despite uncertainties surrounding the Patriots' quarterback situation, Osborn remains optimistic, believing that the team's quarterback plan will unfold positively. He expressed this confidence to the media.

40. Potential Value to the Team: Osborn's ability to maintain his form during the fall camp will be worth monitoring closely. His early impact is a positive indication of his potential value to the team, especially given his experience and reliability as a slot receiver.

Osborn's Impact on and off the Field

K.J. Osborn's journey from Ypsilanti, Michigan to the New England Patriots showcases his dedication and growth. Starting at IMG Academy and moving through University of Buffalo and University of Miami, he honed his skills. Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, he quickly proved his worth. Known for his sure hands, route running, and blocking, Osborn's versatility stands out. His offseason activities, like the church mission to Africa, highlight his character. Now with the Patriots, his early impact is promising. Whether making contested catches or contributing to the run game, Osborn's presence is felt. His journey isn't just about football; it's about resilience, growth, and making a difference. As he continues with the Patriots, fans can expect more memorable moments from this dedicated receiver.