This Sunday could be the last game before the Chargers, Panthers pursue wideout KJ Osborn in a trade. According to Bleacher Report, the Patriots probably aren’t over being sellers this upcoming trade deadline so Osborn could be on the market soon. Originally selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Miami product was hoping to establish in New England’s offense but didn’t find a fit after leaving the Vikings. Last year, Osborn put up 540 yards in 48 passes but he hasn’t been recording those same numbers with the Patriots.
To no fault of his own, the Patriots have been experimenting with the quarterback experiment between Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. Osborn should draw some trade interest despite the Patriots bringing him this past March. He’s better off heading to a roster that needs some solid depth and somewhere he could get more targets. At 27, the receiver is still young so he could be heading in his prime years even though he isn’t a superstar candidate.
Osborn should be a complementary replacement for a roster that is rebuilding or wanting to boost their playoff chances. The Patriots won’t ask much in return since they have too many receivers on their depth chart. New England has wideouts like Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton who the team is already shopping. It might be safe for the Patriots to use the extra weapons to build some draft capital to prepare the future for Drake Maye.
Sunday Could Be Last Game Before Chargers, Panthers KJ Osborn Trade
Rebuilding the Passing Game
Jim Harbaugh has been “all in” on establishing a run game for Justin Herbert before worrying about the passing attack. It’s biting them on the foot now that the wide receiving room is banged with Quentin Johnston returning. DJ Chark hasn’t been doing anything special as Joshua Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey seem to be the only reliable targets. However, the team knew they had a wideout issue since moving on from Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. This shouldn’t be surprising to them as they’re dealing with injuries, they’re near one more hurt player from disaster.
Since Chark is a long shot and Palmer is in his last year with the team, it might be safe to add a guy like Osborn. They shouldn’t expect Johnston to produce high numbers after a depleting rookie year last season. Osborn could give Herbert new life in the pocket with his route-running abilities. He might not be the fastest but it’s an immediate solution for a team that still wants to make a push for this year’s postseason.
Always Next Year
As for the Panthers, the team was hoping to have a solid regular season after trading for Diontae Johnson earlier this offseason. They didn’t stop there after bringing rookie Xavier Legette to build a legitimate receiving room. However, things are crashing and flooding in Carolina as Andy Dalton was the only player to bring some temporary relief. There’s no word on what the Panthers will do with the quarterback situation but if they keep Bryce Young, they should trade for someone like Osborn.
It won’t be easy rebuilding again in 2025 coming off two disastrous seasons but building now should get them ahead. Jonathan Mingo has yet to do much of anything so they might be with Legette as the leading receiver. Adam Thielen will likely head to a playoff team as he’s nearing retirement. Osborn isn’t a superstar but what the Panthers need is a consistent wideout to give Carolina some optimism for the future.
