RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues
OWNED IN: 1% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: If forced to project who would be the Vikings' top-two receivers in Week 1, 99% of Earth's population would choose Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. While that will be the case more often than not, it was a different story on Sunday. K.J. Osborn, a 5th-round pick in last year's draft, trailed only Thielen after hauling in 7-of-9 targets for 76 yards in the Vikings' 24-27 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Osborn was limited to special teams as a rookie, playing on 119 snaps and none on offense, but a strong showing in the preseason and a season-ending injury to Chad Beebe has catapulted him to the WR3 in Minnesota.
At first glance, it's easy to assume there won't be enough volume to go around for this offense to support three fantasy-relevant receivers until you realize there are 103 vacated targets left behind by the combination of Beebe, Kyle Rudolph, and Irv Smith Jr. (6.4 targets per game). Sure, some of those will go to Tyler Conklin and yes, Dalvin Cook will get targets out of the backfield, but there is definitely room for a third receiver to produce. When push comes to shove, Kirk Cousins may not have a choice but to look Osborn's way early and often.
According to Pro Football Focus, Osborn ran 37 of his routes (68.4%) from the slot in Week 1 and saw an Average Depth of Target (ADOT) of 6.4. After going back four years and sampling more than 40,000 targets, Mike Tagliere of FantasyPros (#TagsStrong) found that slot targets are worth 5.5% more valuable than perimeter targets in Half-PPR and even more in full PPR. This bodes well for Osborn's ability to provide a safe floor for those playing 14+ team leagues.
With a Week 2 matchup against the Cardinals on deck, the Vikings could be forced to air it out 40+ times once again and Cousins will likely need to get the ball out quick with Chandler Jones breathing down his neck. All signs point to Osborn being the recipient of a bevy of short passes in a negative game script in Week 2. Get on board before it's too late.
More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Gus Edwards - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 1 (2024)
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~100 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~114 ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Chargers signed Gus Edwards from the Baltimore Ravens for the 2024 season. While J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards could be in a committee, Dobbins has an alarming injury history, and with such devastating injuries, it's unlikely he ever returns to consistently produce like […]
Gus Edwards (RB, LAC): 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Values
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~100 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~114 ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Chargers signed Gus Edwards from the Baltimore Ravens for the 2024 season. While J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards could be in a committee, Dobbins has an alarming injury history, and with such devastating injuries, it's unlikely he ever returns to consistently produce like […]
Logan Thomas - Week 13 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: Logan Thomas test. Ever since arriving in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has been one of the most appealing handcuffs at the tight end position. While not nearly on the same level as Mark Andrews, Likely has shown that he can […]
Christian McCaffrey - Week 14 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 72-yard run on the first play from scrimmage in a 28-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. At the end of the long run, he was tackled at the three-yard line and caught […]
Zay Flowers - Week 14 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: Zay Flowers test. Ever since arriving in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has been one of the most appealing handcuffs at the tight end position. While not nearly on the same level as Mark Andrews, Likely has shown that he can […]
Download Our Free Waiver Wire App
Like what you see? You can download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more waiver wire recommendations at every position, 24x7 player news, notifications, injury alerts & daily articles.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win Big With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
