Tag: K.J. Osborn

Vikings GM Rick Spielman: Miami WR K.J. Osborn has legitimate chance of winning return jobs

Would you like to see Miami wide receiver K.J. Osborn become a return man for the Vikings?

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Minnesota picked a wide receiver in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, who has the potential to provide some value at a different position.

Not only can Osborn come in and compete for a wide receiver spot on the team, but Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said that the Miami product has a chance to win some jobs on special teams.

Osborn had 201 kick return yards on 10 attempts for the Hurricanes in 2019. On punt returns, he tallied 255 yards on 16 attempts in his final collegiate season.

“We think he has a legitimate chance of winning the punt return and the kickoff return jobs with his explosive speed and power,” Spielman told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press and other reporters.

Earlier in the offseason, Tomasson reported that a source told him there is a “50-50” chance that Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels will retire. 

Sherels has been a historically good punt returner for the Vikings, but if he retires, Osborn could be a solid replacement. The Vikings return man next season — on punts and kickoffs — will certainly be a storyline to watch in 2020.

Minnesota drafts Miami WR K.J. Osborn with the 176th pick in NFL Draft

The Vikings have taken another wide receiver. Let’s welcome Miami’s K.J. Osborn.

The Vikings helped replace some of the production of Stefon Diggs when they took LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Diggs, the Vikings’ leading receiver in 2019, was traded to the Bills. Jefferson will help replace him, and maybe a wide receiver taken by the team later in the draft can help, too.

Minnesota drafted Miami wideout K.J. Osborn with the 176th pick in NFL Draft, a fifth-round choice. He had 547 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions for the Hurricanes in 2019, both of which were team highs.

After it took Jefferson at No. 22, Minnesota drafted TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney in the first round. The Vikings then picked Boise State tackle Ezra Cleveland.

Minnesota went and took Mississippi State corner Cameron Dantzler, Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch, Oregon linebacker Troy Dye and Temple corner Harrison Hand in the draft before this pick. I think at least some of those players have a good chance of starting for the Vikings in 2020.