K.J. Osborn racked up 56 of his 73 receiving yards in the Vikings' game-winning drive, taking advantage of the Lions' consistent double-teaming of Justin Jefferson.

Related Players: Irv Smith Jr.

Osborn more than doubled his season total of receiving yards on the last drive, but as the article mentions, this was not a fluke. Kirk Cousins was quoted after the game, “In the two-minute (drill), you sort of have guys in their spots. And you don’t really move people around. It ends up being a more organic way of getting people the football. It just kind of happens. Whoever’s open. And that’s what happened last year with K.J. a lot in two-minute. He was now in primary spots, where during the normal game he was in secondary and tertiary spots, if you will.”

It's not often Jefferson will be held to a 3-14-0 stat line, but Osborn is emerging as the team's third receiving option, and if Cousins continues to attempt 40+ passes, there is fantasy value in that.

The Philadelphia Eagles are trading former first-round receiver Jalen Reagor to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2023 seventh-round pick and a 2024 conditional fourth-round selection, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, per sources.

Reagor was taken with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Related players: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn, Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Reagor needed a fresh start as he never was able to take off in Philly as a first round pick. Ironically, the Eagles passed on Jefferson that year and drafted Reagor instead, and now the two are teammates. Reagor could battle for a WR3 or WR4 spot with the Vikings but will have a way to go before being fantasy relevant.

Smith underwent surgery on his thumb earlier this offseason, but head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters today that he may avoid missing any time during the regular season.

Related Players: Johnny Mundt, K.J. Osborn

This comes as a relief for fantasy players who miss out on the top-tier of tight ends. All we need is one less option at our disposal in the double-digit rounds. If Irv Smith Jr. is healthy from the start, he makes for an interesting post-hype breakout candidate after he was forced to miss most of the 2021 season due to a torn meniscus. Former Viking Tyler Conklin was able to turn in a TE16 finish on what we presume was a much more run-heavy offense than what the 2022 Minnesota Vikings offense will look like.

Osborn's continual playmaking in Vikings training camp may see him earn an even bigger role ahead of the 2022 season.

Related Players: Olabisi Johnson, Albert Wilson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette

With the names behind him on the depth chart, I don't think Osborn has anything to worry about as long as he keeps performing; the WR3 spot is all his. New head coach Kevin O'Connell is sure to increase the team's passing rates, and he had warming praise for the receiver here in camp, remarking, "He's been really, really good...There's no other way to describe it early on in camp." With TE Irv Smith still dealing with a thumb issue, Osborn could end up as a consistent third option for Kirk Cousins.

No surprise that K.J. Osborn locked into the No. 3 WR spot for Vikings.

Related players: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Olabisi Johnson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Irv Smith Jr.

Levitan said those who cover the team are expecting a bump in both pass rate and 3-WR sets with Kevin O'Connell in charge. So Osborn could end up having some fantasy value. However he'll have to battle target monsters Jefferson and Thielen, and perhaps also the return of Smith Jr. at tight end. The post also indicated Smith-Marsette is the WR4 right now.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen underwent season-ending ankle surgery December 28.

Related Player: K.J. Osborn

Tough end to the season for one of the best red zone targets in the NFL. Osborn becomes a WR3/Flex Week 17.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen (ankle) will not play Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is questionable.

Related Players: Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, Tyler Conklin

The short week was going to keep Thielen out. While Obsorn is expected to start in Thielen's place, do not be surprised if Tyler Conklin gets more run.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen didn't practice on Tuesday while RB Dalvin Cook was limited.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Tyler Conklin, K.J. Osborn

Cook, of course, is dealing with a shoulder injury. He was listed as DNP Monday so this is a potential trend in the right direction for Thursday's game with Pittsburgh, but owners probably shouldn't get hopes up just yet. If Cook can't go, it would mean an RB1-type workload for Mattison. Meanwhile, Thielen didn't practice for the second-straight day meaning his status continues to not look good on the short week as he's dealing with his ankle injury. Reports say he's not expected to play, so it should be another big day for Justin Jefferson with Conklin and Osborn also getting more looks.