Minnesota Vikings: Players who could make the roster for special teams

Players who could make the Vikings because of their special teams ability

By Nik Edlund | Aug 23, 2020

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Ameer Abdullah #31 of the Minnesota Vikings returns a punt in the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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K.J. Osborn (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

WR K.J. Osborn

The Vikings took K.J. Osborn to be their primary return man in 2020. They apparently want him to be both the kick and punt returner, loving the burst and speed he showed in college. Though the Vikings’ have clear plans for him, Osborn’s spot on the roster isn’t guaranteed. He’ll need to show the ability to be a weapon as a return man in practice and he’ll have competition for that role.

Players who will push Osborn will be Ameer Abdullah and Chad Beebe. Beebe was the punt returner early in the 2019 season. He did have a case of the muffs, as he dropped a couple of punts that nearly resulted in turnovers. Abdullah got a lot of work a season ago as the kick returner, as he returned 13 kicks for 325 yards, and will battle Osborn in camp to keep that job.

Osborn will first have to show consistent hands in fielding punts and kicks. He will also have to show that explosion and decisiveness that made him get selected by the Vikings in the first place. If he’s able to do this, he should land himself a spot on the final roster. If he struggles, he’ll be let go, and likely stuck on the practice squad.

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