As seemingly every big free agent name flew off the board early on, Patriots fans started to wonder why the team was so quiet, especially when it came to receiver.

After losing out on Calvin Ridley, the Patriots added a not-too-shabby consolation prize on Sunday afternoon, signing former Viking KJ Osborn according to Tom Pelissero.

Osborn was taken in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft (176 overall) and has played his first four years in the league with Minnesota.

Osborn played in just nine games his rookie year, but played in 17 games in 2021 and 2022 and 16 last season. Osborn’s caught 50, 60 and 48 balls the last three years for 655, 650 and 540 yards each season. He’s had seven, five and three receiving TD’s in each year respectively.

Is it an earth-shattering upgrade? No, not by any means, but it’s another depth piece and a level of production the room hasn’t had for a few years. He is just 5’11,” so the room does still lack size, but that could change at the draft or with a trade between now and then.

Osborn is from Michigan and played some college ball at Buffalo University, so he’s got some experience in cold weather despite also attending IMG Academy and Miami University. Ultimately, it’s a smart veteran signing for a team that still has a very good young wideout in Pop Douglas and most likely at least one, maybe more young receivers coming into the new program this year.

It’s not a huge splash, but another smart, conservative move that should make the team at least a little more competitive heading into 2024.