Osborn ready to jump-start the rebuild
K.J. Osborn spent the past three seasons as the Vikings’ No. 3 receiver.
He averaged 615 receiving yards eating leftover targets behind All-pro wideout Justin Jefferson and a former Pro Bowler in Adam Thielen, whom Minnesota replaced last year with first-round pick Jordan Addison.
Now, Osborn wants more, and he believes he’ll find it in New England.
“I’m excited to show the type of player I am,” Osborn told reporters via video conference Wednesday. “I’ve played with some great players — Adam (Thielen) and (Jefferson) and (T.J. Hockenson) and (Addison) and Dalvin (Cook). I’ve played with some great players. I’m excited to get some more opportunities and be able to really help this team win.”
Osborn said the Patriots made his Tuesday visit to the facility “feel like home.” He met with new head coach Jerod Mayo and owner Robert Kraft, among others. Before he agreed to terms on his one-year freeagent contract Sunday, Osborn said he with Mayo about the team’s plans at quarterback, and became comfortable with the idea of joining a rebuilding team.
“I know what I signed up for,” he said. “It’s going to be a grind, and I want to be a person that helps get this organization back to where it needs to be.”
Last season, Osborn finished with 48 catches for 540 yards, more than every other Patriots receiver except then sixth-round rookie Demario Douglas. Osborn has played most of his career in the slot, where Douglas lines up, so it appears the two will split time there in 2024. The 26-yearold said he’s open to filling any role with the Patriots, including serving as their No. 1 target.
Two years ago, Osborn enjoyed his best season during a Vikings playoff run, totaling 650 yards and five touchdowns. The only Patriots receiver to top those numbers the past two seasons is Jakobi Meyers, now a Las Vegas Raider. The key to repeating that production, Osborn indicated, will come down to extra practice reps and timing with his new quarterback.
“Just being on the field more,” he said. “I would think that comes with the reps and just seeing the game plan, the mental side of it. We’re all in the NFL. There’s a lot of talented players but the talent will only take you far. So, the mental part of the game, being on the same page with your quarterback; something I loved with Kirk (Cousins).”
As for who that quarterback will be, the Patriots signed veteran Jacoby Brissett to a one-year contract this offseason. Brissett is expected to serve as a bridge to whomever the front office drafts next April. Following his comments Wednesday, Osborn sounds comfortable with that plan.
“(The quarterback situation) definitely went into the decision,” Osborn said. “I spoke to Coach Mayo, (offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt) and (others) like that for the plan going forward. I trust them that everything will take care of itself.”
Pro Day circuit
Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf, Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach TC Mccartney watched projected
No. 1 overall pick and top quarterback prospect Caleb Williams throw at USC’S Pro Day on Wednesday.
According to Sports Illustrated, Jerod Mayo will join them at Michigan’s Pro Day on Friday and travel to Pro Days at North Carolina and LSU to see quarterbacks J.J. Mccarthy, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels, respectively, next week. Oddsmakers expect the Patriots to draft either Maye or Daniels with the No. 3 overall pick in late April.
Wolf spoke to the quality of this year’s quarterbacks class last month at the NFL Combine, where the Patriots met with Williams, Maye and Daniels, according to Herald sources.
“I think it’s a really good year for quarterbacks,” Wolf said. “It’s a really good year at a lot of positions. Like any position we’re going to valuate their strengths and weaknesses, determine who fits (best) for us. …One thing about the quarterbacks in this draft specifically that I’m excited about is that they all look like they’re really tough guys, which is obviously great at any position, but the quarterback position, especially.”
Wolf also addressed what he’s learned about evaluating quarterbacks since the Patriots selected Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick in 2021.
“I think the main thing is just trying to do everything we can to support that person once we get them in the building,” he said. “We’re going to make the best decision we can in terms of who that person is — if we decide to go quarterback at No. 3. But really putting every resource into everything we have into that person to support them and make sure that we get the best version of themself.”
Extra points
At the annual league meetings March 24-27, NFL owners are expected to vote on proposed rule changes, including a revamped kickoff and a ban on hip-drop tackles. The proposed kickoff would resemble the kickoff used in the XFL in 2020 and 2023, where the kicker kicks at the 35-yard line, while the other 10 players on the kickoff team align at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. At least nine members of the return team would line up in a “setup zone” between the 35- and 30-yard line. Up to two returners can line up in a “landing zone” between the goal line and the 20-yard line. No one other than the kicker and returner(s) can move until the ball hits the ground or a player inside the landing zone. Any rule change must be approved by 24 of 32 owners in order to pass, and would only go into effect for one years … Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski came to the defense of Bill Belichick this week during a discussion of “The Dynasty” docuseries on Masslive’s “Eye on Foxborough” podcast. Gronkowski said: “It was very sad to see coach Belichick go, because there wouldn’t have been a dynasty, there wouldn’t have been 20-plus years of a winning culture without coach Belichick. He set the standard. Coach Belichick was the standard. And without him, none of this was possible. There’s no doubt about that. And to see him go was sad. I mean, I had a tear. Without him, like I said, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” … Patriots front-office executive Alonzo Highsmith attended Alabama’s Pro Day on Wednesday, per Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy.