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 WR K.J. Osborn is an intriguing option for fantasy managers seeking value at the end of drafts. He's coming off a strong finish last year, too. Over the last four weeks of 2022, Osborn saw an uptick in usage as the Vikings’ WR2 ahead of now-departed Adam Thielen. In that stretch, he averaged 8.2 targets per game (19.5% target share), 87.5 receiving yards, 0.5 TDs per game, and 18 PPR points per game. In each of the last two seasons, Osborn has received at least 80 targets and recorded 600+ receiving yards. He’s primarily been the team’s WR3 in that span, but the Vikings ranked eighth in 11-personnel grouping (three-WR sets) in 2022 under first-year HC Kevin O’Connell. Rookie Jordan Addison is the favorite to be the Vikings' WR2 entering this year, but the top three wideouts, including Justin Jefferson, should all spend plenty of time on the field. Addison also missed all of OTAs this offseason due to an undisclosed injury. We're not overly concerned about Addison's health yet, but it speaks to how close Osborn really is to an impact role in an offense that ranked t-10th in PFF team passing grade. You won't find Osborn listed toward the top of our current WR rankings, but he's worthwhile keeping an eye on during training camp.

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.

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.

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.