K.J. Osborn Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings are releasing WR Adam Thielen. It's been a long-rumored, contract-related move. The 32-year-old (until August) has seen his target share decline for two straight seasons. Thielen also tallied a career-low 10.2 yards per catch last season and posted his second smallest averages in both receptions and yards per game since becoming a starter in 2016. We'd still bet on Thielen finding opportunity somewhere else, but it's tough to know how big a role to expect until he lands. You can take some shots on Thielen at his already depressed ADP in current best ball drafts. But don't target him too heavily or expect a huge payoff. Thielen's departure leaves opportunity for WR K.J. Osborn and TE T.J. Hockenson. Don't be surprised, though, if Minnesota adds a wide receiver early in the NFL Draft.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw for just 205 yards in Sunday's loss to the Packers, with 1 TD and 3 INTs. The lone TD went to WR Jalen Nailor from 47 yards out, helping him lead the team with 89 yards on 3 catches. TE T.J. Hockenson led the team with 12 targets, catching 7 for 59 yards. WR K.J. Osborn added a TD catch, but it came from QB Nick Mullens in garbage time. WR Justin Jefferson managed just 1 reception for 15 yards among 5 looks. Minnesota closes out the regular season with an upside matchup at Chicago.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson caught 12 balls for 133 yards and a TD in Saturday's win over the Giants. It was his 3rd straight game with more than 120 yards and his 10th game of 100+ this season. Jefferson also passed the franchise records for receptions and receiving yards in a season. He leads the league in receiving yards for the season by more than 200, with #2 Tyreek Hill yet to play. WR Adam Thielen caught just 1 of 5 targets for 6 yards against the Giants. WR K.J. Osborn followed his big Week 15 with 3 catches for 17 yards among 4 targets.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn tied WR Justin Jefferson for the team target lead (16) in Saturday's come-from-behind OT win over the Colts. Osborn caught 10 balls for a team-high 157 yards and scored. Jefferson returned from an injury check (chest) to catch 12 passes for 123 yards and a TD. WR Adam Thielen managed just 3 receptions on 4 targets for 41 yards and a TD. TE T.J. Hockenson added 3-33 receiving on 9 looks.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen caught 7 of 8 targets for 65 yards and a TD in Sunday's loss to the Lions. He trailed Justin Jefferson's lead in receptions, tying TE T.J. Hockenson for 2nd on the team in targets and ranking 3rd in yardage. Hockenson managed a 6-77 receiving line. WR K.J. Osborn claimed the other TD catch to go with 5 catches for 38 yards on 5 targets.

Vikings TE Irv Smith suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Cardinals, insider Chris Tomasson reports. Smith is getting an MRI on Monday to get a better look at the damage, but he figures to miss multiple games. He's droppable in standard-sized fantasy leagues. Smith's absence leaves lead TE duties to Johnny Mundt, who owns just 22 career catches, with 12 of them coming this season. We should see more volume funneled to WRs Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn with Smith out.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson enjoyed another big game in Sunday's win over the Bears. He racked up a 12-154 receiving line on 13 targets. No other Viking drew more than 7 looks or caught more than 5 passes. WR Adam Thielen checked in 2nd with 7 targets but caught just 4 for 27 yards. K.J. Osborn caught all 5 of his targets (for 41 yards) to finish 2nd on the team in receptions.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that Vikings WR K.J. Osborn "is having a breakout training camp in his own right." That came within an article focused on Adam Thielen's productive role in complement to WR Justin Jefferson's quick rise. We won't overrate 1 reporter's choice of adjectives, but it's clear that Minnesota's #3 wideout is having a good training camp after last year's 50-655-7 receiving line and WR39 finish in PPR. Osborn remains an easy value at his WR64 Underdog ADP.

Arif Hasan of The Athletic writes that Vikings WR K.J. Osborn has appeared to lock down the team’s #3 WR role. Osborn, who enjoyed a mini breakout last year (50-655-7), is running ahead of guys like Bisi Johnson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Albert Wilson. It’s not a surprise, but it’s nice to get confirmation with Minnesota breaking in a new coaching staff. With the Vikings expected to feature more 3-WR looks, Osborn could enter the spot-start mix in deep leagues.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has been activated from the COVID list. He's expected to start Sunday's finale vs. the Bears, despite Minnesota having nothing to play for. Cousins isn't an exciting fantasy option, but his return is excellent news for WR Justin Jefferson and the rest of the Vikings' skill-position players.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen will miss at least the rest of the regular season after undergoing ankle surgery on Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Chad Graff. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero adds that Thielen is expected to be sidelined for about a month, so Minnesota would need to make a deep playoff run if Thielen is going to play again before the 2022 season. K.J. Osborn will step in as the Vikings' #2 WR -- and WR Justin Jefferson will dominate targets -- for as long as Thielen is out.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen (ankle) did not practice on Thursday. Recovering from a high-ankle sprain, he's unlikely to play vs. the Bears on Monday night. That'll keep K.J. Osborn in the WR3 mix.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Lions, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That usually means multiple missed games. Thielen will have further testing Monday to determine his return timeline. With Thielen out for most of the game, WR Justin Jefferson racked up 14 targets, TE Tyler Conklin 9 and WR K.J. Osborn 7. Conklin and Osborn will be in fantasy consideration as long as Thielen remains out. Minnesota gets just 3 days off before hosting the Steelers on Thursday night.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn is the current leader for the #3 role, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Dede Westbrook -- who signed just before training camp -- remains limited by his recovery from the ACL tear that ended his 2020 season in October. And Bisi Johnson went down with his own ACL tear during camp. Osborn -- a 5th-round pick last year -- has yet to see a regular-season target but got on the field as a returner in his rookie campaign. He closed out his college career with a 50-547-5 receiving line as a graduate transfer to Miami. Running 3rd among Vikings WRs isn't likely to make him fantasy relevant unless something happens to Justin Jefferson or Adam Thielen. But keep Osborn's name in mind for that possibility.