Justin Jefferson left late in the game against the Chiefs in Week 5 with a hamstring injury. The Vikings have to fill this gap created in the receiving game and have several ways to go about it.
Jordan Addison and KJ Osborn are set to step into this role, but will they be good enough to play in your fantasy lineup?
THE VIKINGS WITHOUT JORDAN JEFFERSON
Justin Jefferson has been the clear alpha receiver for the last few years. Not only has he been easily the best WR on the Vikings, but he is likely the best WR in the entire league. His 4,825 yards through his first three seasons is the most in NFL history by nearly 700 yards.
After a hamstring injury, though, he has been placed on IR. While this does not end his season, the Vikings’ success without him will tell whether he comes back as soon as he can, or plays it safe.
Meanwhile, in his absence, the Vikings have a big void to fill.
A larger share of targets will now be split among the remaining pass-catchers, meaning there is more volume to go around. Based on target share, TJ Hockenson has the most behind Jefferson, but he’s clearly rostered in all leagues, and we’re looking to stream or stash a WR to fill the void potentially.
That leaves Jordan Addison and KJ Osborn to be your next star.
THE CASE FOR JORDAN ADDISON
It was only a handful of games ago that Jordan Addison was playing with future first-overall pick Caleb Williams. He was an extremely slippery playmaker throughout his college career at Pitt and USC. He was awarded the Biletnikoff Award for the most outstanding WR in college football in a season where he totaled over 1,500 yards and 17 TDs.
The rookie has made a big impact since making his debut just five weeks ago. His big play ability has shown right away with three TDs – two of those being 62 yards and 39 yards each. Despite playing alongside target hogs, Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson, he has earned his place in this offense early in his career.
His shiftiness and route-running ability are a key part of his game, complemented by his impressive straight-line speed once he breaks away from his defenders.
He has averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game, even with Jefferson taking most of his opportunities. With Jefferson out of the lineup in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs, Kirk Cousins targeted Addison four times before the game ended, bringing his total on the day to a career-high nine targets.
He also saw a career-high snap percentage, playing in 75% of the Vikings’ offensive snaps. He had been a somewhat TD-dependent flex option for the start of the season, but with these additional looks, he can transform into a more reliable option.
PFF grades Jordan Addison’s season so far at 65.1, including a very solid 71.2 rating last week in their loss to the Chiefs. He looks like a good play for Week 6, but likely beyond as well.
THE CASE FOR KJ OSBORN
After a rookie season where he saw no action, Osborn became a very solid WR3 and often WR2 for the Vikings in his next two seasons. He totaled 1,305 yards and 12 TDs over that span – very solid numbers despite playing behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.
His 2022 season was not extremely eye-catching, but he played his role well. When given the opportunity, he shined in his role and was able to be a big play-maker. This six-target threshold should be reached often as a true WR1 or WR2 in the offense.
His clutch gene was on display all year, with many crucial late-game plays. He hauled in a long touchdown in Week 3 of 2022 against the Lions to win the game, and that 157-yard game I mentioned earlier? That performance was a part of the Vikings’ historic 33-point comeback against the Colts to seal the division title.
This gave fans high-hopes for his 2023 contribution. . . But maybe too high. KJ Osborn and Kirk Cousins have not been in sync to start the campaign, with Osborn yet to breach 50 yards in a game. He also has recorded two drops in just five weeks, a number he needs to turn around to step up during Jefferson’s absence.
On the bright side, Osborn has seen the field much more than Addison. He is almost always in the game in any set. His 83% snap percentage against the Panthers in Week Four was his lowest all season – more than Addison’s highest snap percentage of 75% last week.
He also had nine targets last week when Jefferson went down late, tying Addison. He has played far longer with Kirk Cousins, which should bode well for his contribution as the season progresses.
WEEK 6 FANTASY OUTLOOK
With Jefferson out of the lineup for at least four weeks, both Addison and Osborn are certainly worth a roster spot for the time being. Both are likely already rostered in your league, but if they are not, make sure to pounce before their Week 6 performances hit the books.
When it comes to plugging these players into your lineup, I would give Jordan Addison the nod and leave KJ Osborn as a stash. Jordan Addison has made great strides to begin the season despite being a rookie behind the best WR in the NFL. I expect both of their numbers to improve, but Addison is already a solid flex in deeper leagues and may be able to reach WR2 status.
I would recommend starting Jordan Addison in Week 6 with confidence he will put on a show against the troubled Bears’ defense. If you have enough star-power already, you can wait to see how Week 6 plays out, but I would feel very comfortable expecting at least 15 fantasy points from Jordan Addison.
As for KJ Osborn, starting this week would still be a good choice as a flex. If the Vikings faced a tough defense in their first game without Jefferson in three seasons, I would say starting Osborn is risky. But against the Bears, his targets and snap percentage, at a minimum, bring me comfort in starting him.
The only risk I see with either player is the Vikings going up big and running the clock out. But, knowing the Vikings’ obsession with close games and the fact it is a division matchup should keep the game close and the ball in the air.
Overall, I see Jordan Addison as a WR2 against the Bears and KJ Osborn as a WR3. The Vikings lead the league in passing attempts per game at 40.8, and even without Jefferson, somebody has to catch the ball. That will fall to these two guys.
Jordan Addison Week 6 Fantasy Projection: 9 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD
KJ Osborn Week 6 Fantasy Projection: 7 catches, 67 yards
