Breaking Down Tai Felton

With the 102nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Tai Felton, WR, Maryland. Felton was ranked #126 on the consensus board and was the 16th ranked wide receiver. He was the 14th wide receiver selected in the draft.

Overall, this pick was within fair value range (#126 with a standard deviation of 41.7). This was the last pick of the 3rd round and the next pick- the first of Day Three- was also for a wide receiver so there was a chance Felton could have been the next pick if the Vikings had not selected him at #102.

Prior to this pick, the Vikings traded down from #97, a 3rd round compensatory pick received for Kirk Cousins signing with the Atlanta Falcons last year. The Vikings traded #97 and #187 for picks #102 and #142 from the Houston Texans. This was a fair trade with one side or the other coming out with a slim surplus (equivalent to a 7th round pick) depending on which value chart you use. I also doubt the Vikings missed out on any key prospect by moving down the five spots- and almost certainly no prospect at a position of need.

Top Line Assessment

Tai Felton is a very interesting pick. At first glance, he doesn’t seem like an inspired choice at the end of the third round as his scouting reports from some of the better known sources provide luke warm or worse assessments of his abilities. But a more detailed assessment suggests a receiver with a high ceiling who already does a lot of things well and could ascend from a potential WR3 to WR2 or even WR1 if Justin Jefferson wasn’t on the roster. He could also not pan out if he doesn’t fix the issues in his game. Beyond that, his skillset could also be a perfect complement to those of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, making him an inspired choice for the Vikings. Let me explain.

Felton is 6’1” and brings sub-4.4” speed to the table. He’s a little light at 183 pounds but that’s not a major issue (he’s ten pounds heavier than Jordan Addison). He’s also a very good route runner with good footwork, very good after the catch, and is also quick in his movements. He also had a lot of production last season at Maryland. But where he struggles at times is at the catchpoint. He had a relatively high drop rate at 7.7% (although same as Tetairoa McMillian who was drafted #8) last season and didn’t fare all that well in contested catch situations (38.9% catch rate). The big issue here is poor technique at times, which makes it more difficult for him to make the catch and/or makes it easier for the defender to break up the reception.

These are fixable issues but it takes time and practice to break old habits. In the meantime, drops for receivers are kind of like interceptions for quarterbacks- it doesn’t take many for coaches (and in this case quarterbacks) to lose confidence- especially as a depth receiver.

But if Felton can correct his issues at the catchpoint, he’s got everything else to move up the wide receiver depth chart and become an impact receiver in the league. Even if Felton is not able to fully correct his issues at the catchpoint- which happen more on intermediate and deep routes- he could still be an asset for the Vikings as a WR3 in the short passing game which was his bread and butter last season. Felton is very good as a YAC receiver on screens and short hitches (he was top five among wide receivers in forced missed tackles last season with 26). That’s not really Jordan Addison’s game and Justin Jefferson could be spared the wear and tear that goes with those targets. Felton also has the talent to be a bona fide deep threat if he can improve at the catchpoint.

Felton also brings experience on special teams- primarily as a gunner but some as a punt and kick returner as well.

Physical Traits

In terms of physical and athletic traits, Felton is a lighter, shorter-armed Justin Jefferson. He’s also a bigger, faster Jordan Addison. Overall, Felton ticks most of the boxes for an NFL wide receiver but could use another ten pounds. His closest overall comparable in this area is Jalen Nailor, although he’s speedier than Speedy.

College Stats & PFF Profile

Felton steadily improved and was more productive each season over his four-year career at Maryland. He went from ancillary receiver to a focal point of their offense. He was a high-volume target last season, although many of those were screens and quick hitches- easy throws and catches allowing Felton to use his YAC ability. In addition to his production numbers, Felton drew at least two defensive pass interference penalties last season on deep routes.

He broke the Maryland school record for receptions in a single season last year (4th most in FBS), was named a team captain, led the team in receiving yards and was named First-Team All-Big 10 and Third-Team All-American. Also named team MVP.

PFF Profile

Scouting Reports

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Tall, slender wideout whose impressive 2024 production appears to be more a function of target volume than projectable talent. Felton is a linear route runner who will struggle with tight press and physical man coverage inside the route. He can build speed inside long strides and has proven he can make tacklers miss, creating chunk plays on possession throws. He lacks functional strength and rarely owns the catch space when contested. Felton has backup potential, but he could compete for a role as a gunner early on.

Strengths

Took on a tremendous target load in 2024 without flinching.

Use of high-step stutter moves at the break point can be effective.

Adequate separation burst from the route stem.

Gets moving before short catches to alter the rendezvous point for tacklers.

Tracks deep ball over his shoulder with easy confidence.

Build-up speed in the open field is evident after catch.

Weaknesses

Strong press corners can give him the blues.

Regimented strider and upright getting into his breaks.

Fails to adjust route and avoid coverage contact in space.

Frequently bullied at the catch point and leaves without the ball.

Somewhat inefficient option once the route ventures beyond 10 yards.

Not built to offer much help as a blocker.

Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team

Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton projects as an impactful slot receiving option at the NFL level. Felton enjoyed a major breakout campaign in 2024 as the primary target for Maryland’s passing game, receiving opportunities vertically down the field, from the slot, and working as a crafty route runner in the shallow areas of the field.

He boasts impressive short-area agility, which helps him craft separation and defend himself against man coverage. He does profile primarily as a slot at the NFL level, but his profile there is complicated by modest stature and complications with his physicality and ability to serve as a run-game complement. As such, he may be more of a depth player or role-specific contributor to the passing game.

Positives

Illustrates good separation quickness at the top of the stem

Offers creativity with the ball in his hands to generate missed tackles and added yardage after the catch

He was a steadily ascending player throughout the course of his career at Maryland

Negatives

Has become more and more of a schemed touch slot target, highlighted by more than 30 receptions on screens in 2024

Is a low-value player with physicality at the catch point or against heavy hands-on coverage

Lacks value as an add-on player in the core as a run support blocker despite slot background

Tale of the Tape

Felton is a lean pass catcher who offers the burst, separation quickness, and creativity with the ball in his hands to warrant a meaningful role down the road with his NFL team. Felton has been steadily improving throughout his career, culminating in a record-setting performance in 2024 that saw Felton set a program record for receptions in a single season.

Felton started the season exceptionally hot but faded into conference play, which is worth noting. He posted at least 117 yards and five total touchdowns in the Terps’ first four games of the season, only to post more than 100 yards in one of the final eight games and score four more receiving touchdowns the rest of the year.

His emergence this season was spurred on in large part thanks to his work after the catch. Felton is credited with nearly 600 yards after the catch and 26 forced missed tackles — his short-area quickness and field vision allow him to parlay his quick separation and free-access receptions to turn into bigger gains that help keep the offense on schedule. These qualities appear to be translatable in the right environment in the NFL.

Felton ran a healthy balance of routes in 2024 — he was predominantly a go-and-hitch assignment, but the depths of his opportunities were equally shared across in-breakers, crosses, screens, slants, corners, posts, and out patterns. His route frequency of each last season for each of those secondary routes was between 6.5 percent and eight percent of his total routes run.

Felton does not offer ideal play strength, and his ability to win is based on how well he gets his head around out of breaks and how well he shows the ability to press the toes of defensive backs at the top of the stem. This often allows him to put defenders on their heels and get the needed extra step for firm separation.

He needs it, though. This has not been a successful contested catch player, and his career drop rate is sufficient but has gotten worse with each season that offers more targets. Felton is a sub-40 percent success rate player in contested situations, and he offers a lean frame that does not hold well with contact as the ball arrives. He does showcase good concentration on the vertical plane to track the ball over his shoulder on fades and corners.

In the run game, Felton is generally a non-factor who would be more impactful running tagged routes to occupy defenders than he would be trying to crack and seal on the edge. He’s not a point-of-attack player who has shown a lot of gusto for contact or blocking assignments. As such, he should be regarded as more of a depth receiver for passing situations.

Thanks to his special teams background, his value can be made up for as a middle-to-bottom wide receiver room contributor. He boasts nearly 300 career special teams snaps, but he’s not an attractive kick coverage player, and he would need to earn a kick return role with his new team. Felton returned eight kicks in three seasons at Maryland.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

A three-year starter at Maryland, Felton lined up primarily outside in offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ pro-style spread scheme, although he logged more slot snaps as a senior than in his previous three years combined. After missing almost all of his final two years of high school, he was somewhat of a late bloomer when he joined the Terps and found himself buried on the depth chart, but his impact and production improved each of his four years in the program. As a senior, he was named team MVP after leading the Big Ten in catches (8.0) and receiving yards (93.7) per game and breaking DJ Moore’s single-season Maryland record for catches.

A natural field-stretcher, Felton can stay in the corner’s pocket before pulling away at the last moment, although his success rate was just 28.6 percent (eight catches on 28 targets) on throws of more than 20 yards in 2024. He can avoid contact with his quick feet, but his mediocre play strength stands out and hurts his ability to play through contact mid-route and at the catch point. Overall, Felton has the explosive speed to be a weapon in the quick game and downfield, which gives him NFL starting potential as a Z receiver. His special teams experience will only boost his chances of cementing a spot on an NFL depth chart.

Strengths

Speedy athlete with afterburners to fly in the open field

Able to hold vertical stem to break down corners

Dangerous catch-and-run weapon on screens and quick targets (ranked top five among FBS receivers with 26 forced missed tackles in 2024)

Flashes fifth gear — tough to catch from behind once he hits his stride

Put some impressive downfield adjustment catches and over-the-shoulder grabs on film

Can create pockets of space (eight of nine touchdowns in 2024 came in red zone)

His coaches say he has never shied away from work

Primarily played outside, but he credits OC Josh Gattis for developing his slot production in 2024

Experienced on kick and punt coverages (12 career special teams tackles)

Fourth player in school history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season

Weaknesses

Slender, stretched-out body type with shorter arms

Gear-down lacks suddenness, giving corners a chance to drive on his breaks

Physical corners can knock him off route path or jam him up

Inconsistent tracking and will fight the ball a little bit mid-air

Not polished using his body and timing to finish contested balls on tape

Underwhelming holding the point as a blocker

Held onto the ball as senior but had three fumbles as junior

Torn ACL in left knee (Oct. 2019)

Matt Waldman

There are scouting reports, and then there is Matt Waldman. He only does offensive skill position players, but he does those with a lot of detail. Go to www.mattwaldman.com to get his work on this draft class and fantasy football advice.

Waldman grades receivers on ten aspects of the position based on film study shown below and groups them into tiers (Star, Starter, Committee, Reserve, Free Agent, Deficient) with occasional comments on notable receivers in a given category. He’ll also provide a summary with more technical details on each area in the player’s scouting report.

Separation: Tier II (starter caliber) with upside (highest tier in this draft class)

“Burden, Matthew Golden, and Tai Felton all have the gear to separate in the deep range of the field and they have the best combination of initial burst, long speed and promising release skills with their hands and feet… Felton has the best combination of speed, release moves, and artistry. Even so, he has lapses with pacing and when to apply specific maneuvers based on the coverage.”

Routes: Tier I (star caliber)

Tai Felton has the most kinks to straighten out with his route running among the elite tier. He has lapses with turns and when to show his eyes against zone coverage. At the same time, he integrates a lot of the tools and concepts of route running to deliver patterns that would work at the highest level of football.

Receiving: Tier III (committee caliber)

Tai Felton frustrates me because the speed, quickness, footwork, route skills, and YAC prowess are all reasons Felton could develop into an NFL starter, but his receiving skills have as many lows as highs. Felton can take contact and win the ball, but he clap-attacks [think trying to catch a pass doing the skol chant] too many targets and in too many situations—including targets he tracks over his shoulder. Felton also uses attacks on timing routes that aren’t optimal for the target. Felton has the potential to succeed Stefon Diggs as the next future NFL starter of note to play at Maryland, but there’s a lot of work to be done. It may prove too difficult for him to do it and he could wind up with a career bouncing around the league as a reserve, at best.

Elusiveness: Tier II

Ball Handling: Tier III

Balance: Tier IV (reserve caliber)

Blocking: Tier III with upside

Vision: Tier II

Power: Tier III

Durability: Tier II

There is a lot more technical detail on each of these areas in Waldman’s scouting report.

Summary

Felton is a speedy option with a lot of skills as a route runner. He has a wide array of release maneuvers and route setups, but he must refine the smaller details so he can execute everything with precision and believability. Felton’s breaks are already sharp and have enough deceleration for him to earn separation on timing routes. He could become one of the best man-to-man receivers in this class. His zone routes need more work. He must demonstrate better awareness of the zone triangle so he knows when to settle and when to continue tempoing his break across the middle. All of these details pale in comparison to his catch-point woes. Felton’s hands are too wide as he begins his attack, and it leads to clap-attacks. That’s not all. Felton opts for suboptimal attacks based on the height of the target. He also allows the ball into his frame. When Felton holds onto the ball, he’s a creative playmaker with the ball in his hands. He can generate yardage with or without blockers and the potential for big plays is always there. Felton’s talent level is strong, but his errors are critical and might frustrate teams that see the high ceiling apparent in his game. He could help as a return specialist and earn a shot to develop his game to its potential.

Waldman also lists overrated, underrated, and project players at each position. Felton was listed as a “project” receiver in this draft class. Waldman defines “project” this way:

A “Project” isn’t necessarily a raw athlete. He could be a player with certain advanced skills who lacks the extensive playing time to gain experience, address his subsequent performance issues in practice, and put it all together as he accumulates those experiences. Practice creates great skills; game experience creates great players. He could also be a productive college player who has holes his game that are limiting his potential to deliver production in the NFL at a similar level he did during college.

Here are seven players I’d label projects—some of them for dramatically different reasons. All seven have talent that is well beyond their skills at this point. Within 2-3 years, if not sooner, they might develop into high-end contributors or starters. There’s even a chance one or two could become potential stars in the NFL.

Tai Felton

At his best, Felton looks like Jameson Williams with better route skills. At his worst, he looks like a player who might wear out his welcome in CFL. Felton is a quick-twitch, speedy receiver who has a wealth of technique and craft to win against man coverage. From the release to the catch point, Felton looks like a future primary receiver. At the catch point, Felton is frustrating. He leaves his feet unnecessarily for targets, which costs him time to secure the ball in traffic without defenders contesting the play. Felton allows the ball into his frame, which leads to him fighting the ball and limiting his potential to win against tight coverage and hits. He also clap-attacks, which has similar results to what I described above. And, when facing tight coverage, Felton doesn’t use the optimal attack based on the trajectory of the target and the coverage. He gives defenders an advantage to break up passes. He could be one of the best receivers in this class if he either proves he’s Terry McLaurin at the catch point (so far, he hasn’t) or if he cleans up his catch-point sloppiness.

If Felton had better technique or was more reliable with his sloppy technique – think Terry McLaurin – Felton would be one of the best receivers in this class. Felton is a high-ceiling prospect with a trap door leading to a deep drop.

Could become an excellent starter if he fixes his hands—an if as big as his talent as a route runner. One of the most frustrating players I’ve studied in years.

College Tape

Highlights

Bottom Line

By making this pick, the Vikings are betting on both Felton and Vikings WR coach Keenan McCardell to fix Felton’s issues at the catchpoint and continue to refine his already good route running ability. It’s a calculated risk that could pay off similarly to picking Stefon Diggs (also from Maryland) in the fifth-round back in 2015.

McCardell, who was wide receivers coach at Maryland when Diggs played there, was heavily involved in scouting Felton and has connections to the coaching staff at Maryland, who say Felton has always been willing to put in the work to improve his game. Felton also had a lot of praise for McCardell- along with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison- and is looking forward to working with them.

Felton may have an early opportunity to prove himself

Felton may start as low as WR5 on the depth chart, but he was an ascending player at Maryland and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him move up quickly as his speed, quickness, and already good route running ability may allow him to shine in practice. And if Felton can continue his improvement, he could position himself as high as WR3 by the end of training camp.

That, in turn, could allow him to see the field early in the season if Jordan Addison is suspended for his DUI incident last year. Addison faces up to a three-game suspension depending on how his court case unfolds and what penalty the league decides to impose.

Ultimately, if Felton succeeds in his development he could become WR3 (although I wouldn’t write off Jalen Nailor just yet) at some point this season and could eventually succeed Jordan Addison as WR2 if the Vikings elect to move on from Addison by the end of his rookie contract. It would be difficult for the Vikings to keep another highly paid receiver on the roster given Justin Jefferson’s contract and other contractual commitments in the coming years.

But for now, the Vikings are looking to leverage Felton’s current skillset, Keenan McCardell’s coaching ability, and that of Justin Jefferson, to help turn pick #102 into a top receiver in the league.

Poll

What level will Tai Felton reach in the league?

• 9%

  Perennial All-Pro/Pro Bowler

  (4 votes)

• 4%

  Top Ten at his Position

  (2 votes)

• 34%

  Above Average Starter

  (15 votes)

• 25%

  Average Starter

  (11 votes)

• 15%

  Below Average Starter

  (7 votes)

• 11%

  Rotational Player

  (5 votes)

44 votes total

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