What can the Vikings expect from K.J. Osborn in 2020?

The Good

Deep Threat Ability

Two of the key things the Vikings lost when they shipped Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills last month are elite route-running and a premier deep threat on the outside. Minnesota partially addressed this with the selection of Justin Jefferson who knows how to find his way into space, but K.J. Osborn adds the ability to get open downfield.

Osborn should go a long way in replacing that part of Diggs’ game as he averaged 14 yards per reception during his collegiate career.

In his final year at Buffalo, Osborn really turned it on as he averaged 16.8 yards per catch with seven touchdowns. With a knack for seeing the ball in the air and grabbing it, Osborn can help the Vikings offense take advantage of loaded boxes.

Post-catch playmaking

While Osborn showed the ability to get open deep, he also had the ability to make plays at all levels of the field. With reliable hands, Osborn can make the catch and then his explosiveness allows him to make plays once the ball is in his hands.

While his production didn’t scream elite product in college, his numbers could have been better had he played with better quarterbacks. He should get that in Minnesota.

Punt Return

The Vikings struggled to find a replacement for Marcus Sherels last season to the point of bringing Sherels back toward the end of the year. With Sherels turning 33-years-old in September, Minnesota needed to get younger at the position and Osborne has the chops to do it.

Osborne started returning kicks during his sophomore year at Buffalo and he averaged double-digit yardage in all three seasons including 15.9 yards per punt return at Miami last season.