Forum The Longship Tai Felton

Tai Felton

JustInTime
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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.

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

Slender WR from Maryland you say.

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

#1 · Apr 25, 5:33 PM
JustInTime
Joined Feb 2025
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JimmyinSD wrote:

as others noted ( i didnt personally check their math), it would have taken day 1 or early day 2 picks to make the moves that you or others were calling for.

and your sarcasm doesnt translate well to the written word,  perhaps its your condescending replies throughout the weekend to those that dared suggest a different approach?

I apologize if I have missed your sarcasm,  lots of shit flying fast and furious on draft weekend to try and read intent.


That’s interesting. I was texting with a couple buddies during the draft. Hardly spent any time on the board. Oh well. Maybe it’s just the Spectre of me. Lol. maybe keep throwing stuff against the wall and something will stick. Whatever man.

edited Apr 28, 2025 9:24 AM

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

#62 · Apr 28, 9:23 AM
pattersaur
Joined Jul 2017
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Wait people are upset we didn’t blow an early pick on running back? Wut

#63 · Apr 28, 10:02 AM
MaroonBells
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Bunsen82 wrote:

You just named 2 teams that have more talent than they have available spots.  You don't think Vikings could trade a late round draft pick or just pick off of waivers if they want one?   We are really solid for our #1 and #2 backs,  we are quibbling about our #3 back and our long term solutions.

Wow, yeah, that this has turned into a multi-page tussle over the course of the day is...I'll just say predictable? LOL. But I disagree that we are solid with our #1 and #2 backs. We went into last year with our guard up given Aaron Jones' age and injury history. We got a good year out of him though, so here we are a year later and everyone seems to have forgotten who he is. He's had 2 healthy seasons in 8...and he's a year older.

There are a few people who think it may have been a good idea to take a back with that 3rd rounder instead of another WR. I agree with those people. A lot of pretty good backs were still on the board. The good news is that I doubt we're done. We just don't have the numbers.

#64 · Apr 28, 11:43 AM
supafreak84
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I don't know much about Felton outside of what I saw on the draft and read here, but I've been telling everyone leading up to the draft that you could make a case for drafting a receiver early so the pick didn't surprise me. I've never liked the depth behind Jefferson and Addison. Nailer has been the epitome of injury prone and is going into the last year of his contract and I don't know how much you can rely on Rondale Moore coming off that injury. It was a position that needed to be bolstered and we'll see what the kids got.

#65 · Apr 28, 12:12 PM
MaroonBells
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supafreak84 wrote:
I don't know much about Felton outside of what I saw on the draft and read here, but I've been telling everyone leading up to the draft that you could make a case for drafting a receiver early so the pick didn't surprise me. I've never liked the depth behind Jefferson and Addison. Nailer has been the epitome of injury prone and is going into the last year of his contract and I don't know how much you can rely on Rondale Moore coming off that injury. It was a position that needed to be bolstered and we'll see what the kids got.

Didn't know anything about Felton until we drafted him, but he looks like he could be a helluva player. The people who believe in him REALLY believe in him. I've heard he has to clean up some catch-point issues, but if he does, he could be another Diggs or Addison. I feel pretty confident in KOC and McCardell's ability to identify good receivers. And historically, the Vikings seem to have a knack for drafting good WRs.

JustInTime wrote:
That’s interesting. I was texting with a couple buddies during the draft. Hardly spent any time on the board. Oh well. Maybe it’s just the Spectre of me. Lol. maybe keep throwing stuff against the wall and something will stick. Whatever man.

edited Apr 28, 2025 1:01 PM
#66 · Apr 28, 12:22 PM
supafreak84
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MaroonBells wrote:

Didn't know anything about Felton until we drafted him, but he looks like he could be a helluva player. The people who believe in him REALLY believe in him. I've heard he has to clean up some catch-point issues, but if he does, he could be another Diggs or Addison. I feel pretty confident in KOC and McCardell's ability to identify good receivers. And historically, the Vikings seem to have a knack for drafting good WRs.


Another reason they might have chosen to go receiver early is because there are some early concerns that next years WR crop is not a good one.

#67 · Apr 28, 5:00 PM
JustInTime
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MaroonBells wrote:

Didn't know anything about Felton until we drafted him, but he looks like he could be a helluva player. The people who believe in him REALLY believe in him. I've heard he has to clean up some catch-point issues, but if he does, he could be another Diggs or Addison. I feel pretty confident in KOC and McCardell's ability to identify good receivers. And historically, the Vikings seem to have a knack for drafting good WRs.


Appreciate that bruv

edited Apr 28, 2025 5:40 PM

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

#68 · Apr 28, 5:39 PM
MaroonBells
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supafreak84 wrote:

Another reason they might have chosen to go receiver early is because there are some early concerns that next years WR crop is not a good one.

That's what they said about the orange crop, but it was fine and Louis and Billy Ray made a fortune.

#69 · Apr 29, 3:01 AM
badgervike
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A lot of hand wringing over not taking a #3 running back because we're "only 2 injuries away from featuring Ty Chandler". The reality is that we're only 2 injuries from playing Nailer, Rondale Moore and Lucky Jackson / Thayer as our WRs without taking Felton. That should strike the fear of God into the opposition. That's hardly a way to treat the young QB. RBs are easier to pick up during the season if the injury bug hits. Rodgers is listed as the #1 KR right now which makes Chandler expendable. I know they also worked Felton out as a returner during his visit. This fresh crop of RBs will put someone on the street. Hopefully, the team upgrades the #3 option at RB. Frankly, I'd rather have Cam Akers back instead of Chandler. Should sign him now as he's a FA...otherwise we may have to trade for him a third time...lol.

#70 · Apr 29, 4:09 AM
MaroonBells
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badgervike wrote:
A lot of hand wringing over not taking a #3 running back because we're "only 2 injuries away from featuring Ty Chandler".  The reality is that we're only 2 injuries from playing Nailer, Rondale Moore and Lucky Jackson / Thayer as our WRs without taking Felton.  That should strike the fear of God into the opposition.  That's hardly a way to treat the young QB.  RBs are easier to pick up during the season if the injury bug hits.  Rodgers is listed as the #1 KR right now which makes Chandler expendable.  I know they also worked Felton out as a returner during his visit.  This fresh crop of RBs will put someone on the street.  Hopefully, the team upgrades the #3 option at RB.  Frankly, I'd rather have Cam Akers back instead of Chandler.  Should sign him now as he's a FA...otherwise we may have to trade for him a third time...lol.

And while it's true every position is a couple injuries away from predicament, it makes me nervous that that dude at the top of our RB depth chart is injury prone and will be 31 during the playoffs. I agree about Akers. He's just a guy but he knows the offense, he can be trusted in pass pro, and for as long as it seems he's been around, he's only 25.

#71 · Apr 29, 4:33 AM
JustInTime
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MaroonBells wrote:

And while it's true every position is a couple injuries away from predicament, it makes me nervous that that dude at the top of our RB depth chart is injury prone and will be 31 during the playoffs. I agree about Akers. He's just a guy but he knows the offense, he can be trusted in pass pro, and for as long as it seems he's been around, he's only 25.

It’s interesting that so few seem to grasp the importance of the running game going forward. KOC literally said we’ve got the horses now to open up the rest of the playbook. With the commitment to trenches, specifically the iOL in FA and the draft this is a pretty emphatic statement. 

It’s not like I’m Neo seeing the Matrix.

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

#72 · Apr 29, 4:56 AM
badgervike
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JustInTime wrote:

It’s interesting that so few seem to grasp the importance of the running game going forward. KOC literally said we’ve got the horses now to open up the rest of the playbook. With the commitment to trenches, specifically the iOL in FA and the draft this is a pretty emphatic statement. 

It’s not like I’m Neo seeing the Matrix.

I think everyone knows the importance of a running game...it's just about living within our means.  We had 4 original draft picks in the draft and an aging / expensive Veteran group beginning next year and no backup QB this year.  I guess I don't understand undermining the future for a man crush draft pick.  We didn't have a lot of ammo to fight with.  The draft didn't leave almost all of those oft discussed potential draft picks on the board at #24.  So..we could have forfeited some of the high draft picks for next year to move up a few spots if there was someone they absolutely couldn't live without.  It's like playing Madden.  With the FA period, the Vikings believed they were in position to draft best available.  They appeared to get that.  I know you wanted them to take Henderson...which would have been overpaying for him...in a draft where you have limited draft capital.  Since this is a Felton thread, had they not taken him...we'd have been going with Jefferson and the oft injured Rondale Moore as the starting WR while Addison serves his suspension...with Thayer or Jackson in 3 WR sets.  I expect we'll pick up someone off the waiver wire or through FA to get us through the year.  I would expect us to look at RB next year.  Let's face it..KOC will never be a run first kind of guy

edited Apr 29, 2025 5:35 AM
#73 · Apr 29, 5:34 AM
Zanary
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I'll state again: it's like we have over 4 months before week 1 to allow the waivers/cuts/etc to throw more players into the overall mix, and for the Vikings to add to the "'Back Room". The constant hand-wringing over "...just two injuries from..." can go straight to using our QB3, WR3, DE3, etc as starters; that's a great way to wear through tooth enamel months before the season starts.

The draft is done, the picks are in, the (initial) UDFAs have been selected by people whose jobs are literally based on being OCD on our roster. The odds of hitting the regular season with a huge RB gap are pretty minimal.

KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....

#74 · Apr 29, 5:49 AM
MA
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JustInTime wrote:

It’s interesting that so few seem to grasp the importance of the running game going forward. KOC literally said we’ve got the horses now to open up the rest of the playbook. With the commitment to trenches, specifically the iOL in FA and the draft this is a pretty emphatic statement. 

It’s not like I’m Neo seeing the Matrix.

Aaron Jones is coming off a great year and has four 1000+ yard seasons.  Great pass catcher.

Jordan Mason is a young powerful RB that averaged over 90 yds per game in 7 starts before CMC came back.

These are the two guys who are going to carry the load for us in 2025.

I guess I don't see a huge issue with us passing on a RB.  Top 2 are set.  I would have hated trading from 97 to the back of the 2nd for R.J. Harvey.  We'd have had to given up at least our 2026 2nd and maybe that wouldn't have been enough to entice LV or Baltimore to trade back that far.  Love the player, but trading future picks for a 3rd string RB would be dumb.

Otherwise Skattebo and Tuten went right after our Felton pick at the top of the 4th round.  I didn't like either of them, Cam is slow and Tuten fumbles his morning coffee 3 days a week.

There were some guys I liked later Day 3 but they likely weren't going to surpass Aaron Jones or Mason so...

#75 · Apr 29, 6:07 AM
JustInTime
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StickierBuns wrote:

Not sure why you are framing this like you have some insight that eludes the rest of us. Differing opinions is what it is and the Vikings didn't take a RB in the Draft + resigned AJ and traded for Mason, so I guess the Viking's organization also failed to 'grasp' the importance? And who's not understanding how important the running game is, I think we all do. It’s obvious Minnesota thinks they've got it covered mostly, but assuredly not quite done yet and will get another minor RB for the room.

Yes, it appears the organization failed to grasp the importance. I’d say it’s a precarious position we’re in for reasons I spelled out multiple times. There’s three pillars to my argument that most should be able to recite upon command. Until someone can find fault in any of those pillars I’m sticking to them.

It’s pretty interesting that we have this newfound faith in the front office already. Is Kwesi the oracle now? I’m trying to think of the staunch Kwesi supporters on the board. I’d say it’s easily less than 5. 

There have been multiple threads authored about his lack of an extension. Maybe I’m misunderstanding the tenor of those threads but to me I’m not hearing many say hurry up and get this done because we need him leading us forward. Am I wrong? 

And yes, I have strong opinions that typically are well founded. There’s an old saying I really like. If this comes off as condescending, how people react to what I say and how I say it I have no control over.

Think of the line Mr Wolf dropped in Pulp Fiction if that helps. I’ll try to be more sensitive but I swear someone just signed an EO declaring America is not longer Woke.  :cool:

edited Apr 29, 2025 7:55 AM

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

#76 · Apr 29, 7:52 AM
badgervike
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Where did people say that Kwesi was the Oracle? I personally think we should replace him. But...at some point, you just sound like a spoiled child that didn't get what they wanted for Christmas because their parents couldn't afford it. We had 4 draft picks..including no 2nd and 4th but we should have parlayed that together with some pixie dust and drafted all your man crushes.

Sorry to be the one to tell you...Santa doesn't exist.

#77 · Apr 29, 8:09 AM
HO
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JustInTime wrote:

Yes, it appears the organization failed to grasp the importance. I’d say it’s a precarious position we’re in for reasons I spelled out multiple times. There’s three pillars to my argument that most should be able to recite upon command. Until someone can find fault in any of those pillars I’m sticking to them.

It’s pretty interesting that we have this newfound faith in the front office already. Is Kwesi the oracle now? I’m trying to think of the staunch Kwesi supporters on the board. I’d say it’s easily less than 5. 

There have been multiple threads authored about his lack of an extension. Maybe I’m misunderstanding the tenor of those threads but to me I’m not hearing many say hurry up and get this done because we need him leading us forward. Am I wrong? 

And yes, I have strong opinions that typically are well founded. There’s an old saying I really like. If this comes off as condescending, how people react to what I say and how I say it I have no control over.

Think of the line Mr Wolf dropped in Pulp Fiction if that helps. I’ll try to be more sensitive but I swear someone just signed an EO declaring America is not longer Woke.  :cool:


Seems to be a defensive response. I understand and respect your position, though I don't necessarily agree. Disparity of opinion and debate are the lifeblood of this place. BTW, Harlan Ellison is one of my favorite writers.

edited Apr 29, 2025 8:32 AM
#78 · Apr 29, 8:31 AM
JustInTime
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badgervike wrote:
Where did people say that Kwesi was the Oracle?  I personally think we should replace him.  But...at some point, you just sound like a spoiled child that didn't get what they wanted for Christmas because their parents couldn't afford it.  We had 4 draft picks..including no 2nd and 4th but we should have parlayed that together with some pixie dust and drafted all your man crushes.

Sorry to be the one to tell you...Santa doesn't exist.

Really? A well structured and supported position sounds like a spoiled child?

Hokay

I know a little bit about the Jewish faith. Debating and arguing a position seems to be a big part. I guess you’ve abandoned that aspect? Or maybe you just don’t have a strong position to counter my argument therefore you have to degrade yourself by hurling insults.

edited Apr 29, 2025 9:51 AM

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

#79 · Apr 29, 8:45 AM
JustInTime
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hogjowlsjohnny wrote:
Seems to be a defensive response. I understand and respect your position, though I don't necessarily agree. Disparity of opinion and debate are the lifeblood of this place. BTW, Harlan Ellison is one of my favorite writers.

No, I’m defending a position. If I was defensive I’d have to resort to petty and meaningless insults. 

Ellison is pretty cool. :cool:

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

#80 · Apr 29, 9:53 AM
MaroonBells
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MAD GAINZ wrote:

Aaron Jones is coming off a great year and has four 1000+ yard seasons.  Great pass catcher.

Jordan Mason is a young powerful RB that averaged over 90 yds per game in 7 starts before CMC came back.

These are the two guys who are going to carry the load for us in 2025.

I guess I don't see a huge issue with us passing on a RB.  Top 2 are set.  I would have hated trading from 97 to the back of the 2nd for R.J. Harvey.  We'd have had to given up at least our 2026 2nd and maybe that wouldn't have been enough to entice LV or Baltimore to trade back that far.  Love the player, but trading future picks for a 3rd string RB would be dumb.

Otherwise Skattebo and Tuten went right after our Felton pick at the top of the 4th round.  I didn't like either of them, Cam is slow and Tuten fumbles his morning coffee 3 days a week.

There were some guys I liked later Day 3 but they likely weren't going to surpass Aaron Jones or Mason so...

I wouldn't have traded our 2026 1st for Henderson, which is what it would've required (I think), but I would've traded a 2026 2nd rounder to move up for RJ Harvey, whom I liked almost as much as Henderson. Not a Skattebo fan, but I would've taken Tuten where we took Felton with Sai'vion Jones off the board. But having done none of that, I would've at least drafted Brashard Smith or Jacory Croskey-Merritt with our last pick instead of the tight end. I actually think Yurosek has a better chance of making the team that Bartholomew. It was damn curious that's for sure. Vikings brought in both of those backs, so it's very possible they didn't like how they interviewed. 

I am excited about Felton though. It will be interesting to see how these players fare over the next couple years.

edited Apr 29, 2025 9:59 AM
#81 · Apr 29, 9:57 AM
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Forum The Longship Tai Felton

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