5 young Vikings players we won’t see in the 2020 season
By Nik Edlund
![(Photo by Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports) Nathan Stanley (Photo by Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports) Nathan Stanley](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthevikingage-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2020-2F11-2F10302582-850x560-4066d9010d38aee5e146beeb065c40b3991d839f386de0692e1a8bdf4e199df9.jpg)
K.J. Osborn (as a wide receiver)
K.J. Osborn is definitely a player we’ve seen on the field this season. He’s been the Vikings’ primary return man for both punts and kicks.
He hasn’t really gotten a ton of opportunities to display his skills though, as he has 13 kick returns and only three punt returns this year. While those chances have been limited, he hasn’t done much to show if he is going to excel in this role in the future as he sometimes lacks the necessary burst and wiggle.
While we will probably continue to see Osborn as a returner the rest of the year, it’s doubtful we see him on the field with the actual offense.
As we mentioned earlier with Alexander Hollins, Osborn has got five receivers ahead of him on the depth chart. He also was seen as a raw receiver prospect coming out of this year’s draft and one who needs to work on his route-running and footwork. Without a preseason, he wasn’t able to refine those skills.
For Osborn to see the field this year on offense, the Vikings‘ entire receiving corps would need to come down with the flu. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen, as Osborn needs a lot of work before he’s ready to see meaningful offensive targets come his way.