4 emerging alphas on the Minnesota Vikings in 2022
By Dean Jones
K.J. Osborn – WR
Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson hog the headlines within the wide receiver room. But K.J. Osborn could be making many more if the third-year-pro takes another climb under Kevin O’Connell in 2022.
The former fifth-round pick quietly put together a tremendous campaign last season after practically redshirting his rookie year. Osborn showed tremendous improvement in route-running and catching under pressure, which brought around 50 receptions for 655 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
This was a significant confidence boost for the Miami product, who quickly emerged as a trusted target of quarterback Kirk Cousins, and that could continue under a new regime.
Opposing teams will now have some substantial film to go off in pursuit of counteracting his threat. So it’ll be interesting to see how Osborn responds to this challenge in the coming months.
Jefferson is poised for true greatness and Thielen should also play a big-time role. But with these two generating a significant amount of attention, there will be opportunities aplenty for Osborn to take his numbers to completely new heights.
Osborn has a lot going for him ahead of the new season, which would give Minnesota one of the best wideout trios anywhere in the league.