K.J. Osborn

Patriots WR K.J. Osborn drew a team-high 6 targets in Sunday's upset win over the Bengals, catching just three for 21 yards. Those 3 receptions tied him with RB Rhamondre Stevenson for the team lead. No Patriot tallied more than 31 receiving yards, as QB Jacoby Brissett threw for only 121 yards on 15-of-24 passing. That target lead for Osborn also proved deceptive vs. the WR corps playing time.

Osborn played the most snaps (39) and had the most targets of the Patriots' receivers, but the fact that four different receivers are splitting work keeps any of them from being fantasy relevant. It doesn't help that Jacoby Brissett is throwing the passes for New England for the time being. Osborn isn't usable outside of deep formats heading into Week 2 against the Seahawks at home.

After tearing his ACL in Week 8 last season, Bourne will miss at least the first four weeks of the 2024 season. ESPN's Mike Reiss said that in Bourne's absence, the New England receiver depth chart could be as follows: K.J. Osborn, Pop Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker. Osborn could see sneaky target volume as the WR1 in an offense that will be chasing points throughout the season.

Brissett exited Sunday's game with an injury to his throwing shoulder after one drive. It paved the way for Drake Maye to turn in a solid half of football, but it doesn't sound like this injury will factor into who gets the nod for Week 1. The Patriots have a decision to make at starting quarterback, and Maye further complicated that with his strong showing. He threw for 126 yards and a score but could've had another touchdown if not for a penalty that called back a 48-yard touchdown to K.J. Osborn. With the season less than two weeks away, and roster cutdowns coming on Tuesday, there's a good chance we know the winner of this camp battle before the end of the week.

Maye also rushed three times for 17 yards on the night. The rookie took over on the second series in this one and immediately led the Patriots on a scoring drive. Maye overcame a fumbled snap on the first play to lead a 12-play, 87-yard drive, which he capped with an 18-yard touchdown pass to running back Kevin Harris. If not for eight offensive penalties in the first half, Maye's night could have been much better. He rolled to his left late in the second quarter to complete a would-be 48-yard touchdown to K.J. Osborn but saw the play called back due to an illegal formation. Jacoby Brissett injured his shoulder on his first and only drive of the game, which could have an impact on who gets named the Week 1 starter. Assuming both are healthy, it's fair to say Maye showed more than enough to be worthy of the nod, but the Patriots may opt to play it safe with the rookie and let him spend a little more time developing before throwing him into the fire.