K.J. Osborn hasn't just played alongside one of the league's best wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, but also spent four seasons catching passes from star quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Osborn, who signed with the Patriots after four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, recently mentioned rookie quarterback Drake Maye in the same breath as Cousins. The sentiments from Osborn came when he spoke about Maye's ball placement, specifically referencing a play in which Maye steered Osborn away from oncoming contact.
It's one of the flashes he's seen from Maye.
"I think that's what good quarterbacks do," Osborn told reporters, per a team-provided video. "If I'm speaking about my past, that's something I used to talk to Kirk (Cousins) about -- just not getting you killed.
"I think you heard Tom Brady talk about that. With football now, it's on the quarterback to not get these guys killed. So the ball may be behind you, and people say, 'Oh, he threw a bad ball.' But he's trying not to get the guy killed. He wants you to catch it and go down. Things like that, flashes that you see (from Maye), I think that's good."
Osborn is optimistic about the third overall pick, who has stacked days together including New England's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles last week. The veteran wideout has seen Maye play faster and more confident.
"Drake has a different type of confidence and leadership. He's a rooke so he's still learning, but he's also a quarterback and a very smart guy," Osborn said. "He's definitely progressing."
Osborn pointed to the questions Maye has asked off the field and the "opportunity balls" he's thrown Osborn on the field as examples of Maye's growth. He speaks with Maye routinely in the locker room and has taken note of the kinds of questions Maye asks.
"Most of it is how he wants to get the ball to me versus a certain defense. Or it may be an opportunity ball, and it may not be the cleanest look because where we are on the field, but he’s telling me, 'Hey, in this small window I do have, I may put it on your back shoulder. I may put it high for you to do this or do that.' Everything out there is strategic. I think he does a good job at that."
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Maye's teammates have picked up on his growth and confidence as he gets deeper into his first training camp. Mayo seems to be right there with them, as evidenced by opening the door on the quarterback competition when it felt like it was shut.
