K.J. Osborn’s Next Team: 4 Landing Spots

Vikings Did the Madden Meme
Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) dance during warmup prior to their game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn can sign anywhere in the NFL at the moment. It’s an honest-to-goodness free agency for the 26-year-old, and his tenure in Minnesota could be over.

K.J. Osborn’s Next Team: 4 Landing Spots

Of course, the Vikings could simply re-sign Osborn and pursue the reunion angle. But that has not occurred as of March 16th.

So, consider these teams his top four landing spots for 2024 (if he doesn’t re-up in Minnesota). They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely landing spot).

4. Denver Broncos

K.J. Osborn
August 19, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton watches warm-ups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.

Current Top 4 WRs on Roster:
Courtland Sutton
Tim Patrick
Marvin Mims Jr.
Brandon Johnson

The Broncos earn a spot on several of these ex-Vikings lists, mainly because of general manager George Paton. It’s unclear how much pull Paton still has in the Broncos organization with Sean Payton in charge, but he’s the general manager in title nevertheless.

Denver’s WR room isn’t incredibly deep, and Osborn could slide in nicely as a WR3 or so.

3. Atlanta Falcons

Feb 5, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot pose for the media after Morris was introduced as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports.

Current Top 4 WRs on Roster:
Drake London
Darnell Mooney
Rondale Moore
Ray-Ray McCloud

Why not follow Kirk Cousins?

The Falcons have a rather obvious roster need at WR4 — see above — and Osborn might even outproduce Moore. Atlanta’s offense will be a lot of fun for the team’s fans this season with Cousins in the saddle. Adding a familiar target for Cousins makes sense, at least on paper.

2. Detroit Lions

north matchup realistic
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (95) chases Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during their football game Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. © Wm. Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Current Top 4 WRs on Roster:
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jameson Williams
Kalif Raymond
Donovan Peoples-Jones

This one might’ve taken a hit this weekend when Peoples-Jones joined the depth chart, but Detroit remains on the list because of the hometown connection. Osborn was born about 30 minutes from Ford Field, and if injuries arise in 2024, Osborn could slide into the Lions WR3 or WR4 role.

1. New Orleans Saints

Oct 19, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Current Top 4 WRs on Roster:
Chris Olave
Rashid Shaheed
Cedrick Wilson Jr.
A.T. Perry

From Klint Kubiak and Andrew Janocko to Rick Dennison, New Orleans employs oodles of former Vikings coaches. It also has a depth issue at wide receiver, probably needing to add one more veteran personality. That can be Osborn.

At this point in free agency, Osborn won’t be terribly expensive, so lock in the Saints as the top landing spot for Osborn.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily ... More about Dustin Baker