Tai Felton

[JustInTime]

Tai Felton projects as an immediate contributor from the slot with eventual potential to develop into a starting Z-receiver in systems that prize route technicians over pure athletes. He not only can take the top off defenses with 4.3 speed, but can also be the one moving chains on third down with crafty stems and sharp breaks that corners just can't mirror.

His NFL ceiling will be determined by his ability to add functional strength without sacrificing the quickness that makes him special. Teams running timing-based passing games like San Francisco, Green Bay, and Cincinnati should have Felton highlighted on their draft boards as a potential Day 2 selection. Give him a quarterback who throws with anticipation rather than waiting for receivers to be wide open, and Felton could become one of those receivers who quietly accumulates 70+ catches annually while rarely making highlight reels.

Felton runs angry despite his slender build, and that competitive toughness suggests he'll outperform several receivers selected before him. His development curve hasn't plateaued yet – this is a player still ascending as he enters the league, with the football IQ and technical foundation to become a quarterback's most trusted target on crucial downs.

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Honestly, I looked at so few WRs I have zero feel for this guy. Really thought we’d go Samson here.

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Slender WR from Maryland you say.

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[RS_Express]

For 102 I like this one. Already productive with the height and speed to raise his ceiling higher. Enjoy your new team in '26 Nailor.

[JustInTime]

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Felton teamed at Maryland with fellow receiver Jeshaun Jones, whom the Vikings signed as an undrafted free agent last year. Jones finished his collegiate career with 2,040 yards and 14 touchdowns.
NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah listed Felton as his 82nd overall best player in this year's draft, while ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr., listed him just one spot lower at 83.
Felton participated in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where his 40-yard dash time of 4.37 seconds tied for sixth-fastest among receivers this year. His broad jump of 10 feet, 10 inches ranked fifth, and his vertical jump of 39.5 inches tied for fourth.

[JustInTime]

[StickierBuns]

Excellent selection. Clocked speed translates to speed on the field, which isn't always the case. Got a burner who is also a dawg.

[MaroonBells]

Really didn't think we'd take a WR, especially with our 2nd pick. so didn't look into Felton, but I knew he had a lot of fans. And watching his clips I'm starting to see why. Diggs 2.0? 

Interesting that the guy I predicted we'd take, Saivion Jones, was taken one spot ahead of us at 101 by Denver who specifically traded ahead of us to get him. That's what's dangerous about trading down. You can look at the teams below you and say none of them are looking for our guy, but you can never predict when another team might jump ahead of you. 

Do I know for we would've taken Jones? Of course not. But Denver seemed convinced, so I'm just going to say I'm two for two. 

[MAD GAINZ]

Vikings were looking at Watts at 97, but Atlanta jumped us. Then we moved back to pivot to Felton. I didn't look at WRs much this year, but you can see the speed on the field and his route running is strong for a college guy. Think he has a chance to be our WR3 this year.

[purplefaithful]

WR surprised the s hit out of me...I thought for sure they would go S, LB or IDL. 

I would be giving BFlo a lot of personal space this am if I were on the Vikings staff lol!

[MaroonBells]

WR surprised the s hit out of me...I thought for sure they would go S, LB or IDL. 

I would be giving BFlo a lot of personal space this am if I were on the Vikings staff lol!

Right? The thing about IDL is that I think we already have some promising depth. Jalen Redmond looked really good, the guy we drafted last year, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Taimani too. I think if one fell right for us in the 1st, we may have pulled the trigger, but I don't see much sense in taking more depth on day three. 

I'd say TE is still very possible, but only if we tie BFlo to the mast of the Longship. Otherwise LB and S.

[purplefaithful]

Wonder if they have 1/2 an eye on how long Addison may be out???