FOXBORO — The Patriots have already made one deal before next week’s NFL trade deadline. And if another player is dealt, it seems likely to come from the wide receiver room.
The Patriots have one of the least productive wide receiver rooms in the NFL, but they’re carrying seven players at the position, and it doesn’t make sense to play more than four or five of them in a given game. Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn all received offensive snaps last week while rookie Ja’Lynn Polk was in concussion protocol. Rookie Javon Baker was only used on special teams.
Osborn, Thornton and Bourne have all been mentioned in trade rumors. Bourne might be the most appealing option for opposing teams out of the three, but Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media wrote Sunday that “it would take a large deal to pry him from New England.” Bourne told the Herald last week that he would prefer to stay with the Patriots.
The Boston Herald caught up with Osborn in the locker room on Wednesday to get his reaction on being mentioned in rumors ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
“It’s different. First time in my career I’m dealing with something like this,” Osborn said. “I can’t really control so try to come out here, have a good practice, try to focus to be my best on Sunday and the rest of that stuff, people that make those decisions make those decisions, but you can’t really wrap your mind around stuff that you can’t control. You drive yourself crazy.”
Osborn wouldn’t say weather or not anyone in the Patriots’ front office or on the coaching staff has talked to him about his name being floated out there.
“I kind of gotta keep that stuff internal. It’s moving in a good direction,” Osborn said.
Osborn clarified what he meant by “moving in a good direction” by saying, “In how the situation is being handled.
“A lot of people asking me questions and things like that. It hasn’t been any craziness. I think it’s been handled well. Right now focused on Sunday, trying to have a good practice and control what I can.”
Osborn also wouldn’t say if he has a preference between staying with the Patriots or being traded.
“I’m just so happy that we got the win last week,” Osborn said. “I don’t really think about this stuff. I just try — whatever my role is, try to be the best I can for the Titans this week. And like I said, that stuff will play out how it will.”
When asked what he believes he can do to get more playing time, Osborn also kept it internal.
“That’s not really something I can really share with you,” Osborn said. “We’ll see what happens.”