Was K.J. Osborn The Vikings' Biggest Reach?

[Carl Knowles]

NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein had this grade on K.J. Osborn. Draft Projection: Priority Free agent 

Osborn played mostly from the slot at Buffalo and mostly outside at Miami, but Buffalo likely had it right. His size, quickness and speed fail to stand out and he's not fully equipped to get away from tight man on the pro level. From the slot, his instincts in space and overall toughness could serve him well, but are still garden variety at best. However, Osborn has been a consistently productive punt returner for three seasons and is able to cover kicks and punts if asked. The special teams work gives him a shot if he can be functional as a backup receiver.

Most analyst had Osborn graded as a “very” late round to undrafted free agent.  So, when the Vikings selected Osborn in the fifth round ahead of higher graded receivers like Donovan Peoples-Jones, James Proche, K.J. Hill and Quartney Davis (just to name a few) I was scratching my head at the timing of this selection.


Yes, it's true the Vikings reached for Osborn. I get it though, the Vikings liked his ability as a returner and as a cover guy on special teams. Electric “athletic type” prospects like Lynn Bowden, Antonio Gibson, Joe Reed and Devin Duvernay were in high demand and already off the board.


Was it wrong for me to like Mike Hughes as the Vikings slot corner and punt/kick returner? At the time, I was also higher on Quartney Davis (which the Vikings signed as a priority free agent). 


I will be honest, it has taken me a little time to warm up to the Osborn pick. However, I do like the fact he is a quality person and has became a team leader (#1 receiver) at Miami in only one season. I also like that he was the #1 punt returner (257 yards) in the MAC (2018) and the #1 punt returner (255 yards) in the ACC in 2019. 


In hindsight, I can see some value in trying to protect Mike Hughes by limiting his special teams duty. I hate to admit it, but Osborn’s highlights and film is certainly fun to watch. I might even be willing to suggest,... because he had some success lining up on the outside at Miami, he might experience more success outside than Quartney Davis will have at the next for the Vikings?


The battle for WR #3 position will be fun to watch.

Conclusion: Osborn looks like a reach I can live with. 

Anyway, I could plug in a highlight video here, but I really like the video commentary from David Lake INSIDE THE U about Osborn before the draft. 


https://247sports.com/college/miami/Arti...146372196/

[Guest]

Was he a reach? Maybe. Was Davis a great value? Maybe. It seems like Osborn had a role he was already targeted for by the coaching staff. If you get a Day 3 guy who can contribute on ST the day he walks in the field, is that a reach? 

[Guest]

Yes, I agree I also think he was a reach.    There were other more "pure" WRs still on the board as you correctly point out.   I get that they liked his punt return skills, and that is a need given Hughes will most likely not be doing that any longer, and we are not bringing back Sherels.   If you just see Osborn as a PR and special teamer next year, then I think there is still a need for more depth at WR that I would have liked to have seen addressed.     While Bisi was a decent fill in, if Theilen goes down again I would argue we are still thin with quality depth at the position.    I hope Jefferson takes off fast, but the reality is not many first round rookie WRs put up huge seasons their first year.    Sharpe is OK, the rest of the guys like Hollins, Davis etc are unknown quantities at this point.     I think our offense could really struggle if Theilen misses any length of time again.       

[Guest]

Woulda loved to seen the Vikings double-dip on WR's more than with KJ...

That said, I wish the kid well. I'm just always starved for a 3 deep again.

Who didnt have this poster back in 98/99??

Good lord, that was 22 years ago now  :o


 

[Guest]

Nobody in the 5th round is a reach.   The latter rounds are a low % dart toss.   But I get that the clickbait industry needs something to fill space with.

[Guest]

I wasn't thrilled with the Osborn pick.  He seems like a returner only and doesn't have any one physical trait that stands out. 

I was hoping for Antonio Gandy-Golden when he dropped into the late 4th.  AGG at least has great size and length to go with great hands.  There is starting NFL WR upside there.

Osborn feels a lot like the Rodney Adams pick a couple years ago...  Kind of a who did we draft in the 5th?  Hopefully the Osborn pick plays out differently and he actually makes the team or contributes in some way.