The Minnesota Vikings didn’t have much draft capital in the 2025 NFL Draft, making just five total selections. Despite that, they walked away with two players who could contribute early. First-round pick Donovan Jackson is expected to start at left guard, and third-rounder Tai Felton has the tools to make an impact at wide receiver and on special teams.
Felton enters the NFL after an impressive final season at Maryland. He finished fourth in the FBS with 96 catches and led the Big Ten in receiving yards per game. Over the first four games of the season, he topped 115 receiving yards in each contest and ultimately broke DJ Moore’s single-season Maryland record for receptions. His performance earned him first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American honors.
What Felton brings to the field
Felton’s game is built on speed and playmaking ability. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and turned short throws into explosive gains throughout his college career. He ranked second among all 2024 draft-eligible receivers with 31 screen catches, and he posted a 128.8 passer rating on 22 hitch targets, per Pro Football Focus.
Another key trait is his versatility. While many speed receivers are limited to the slot, Felton lined up 71 percent of the time outside and 29 percent in the slot last year, showing he can function in different roles. His agility, vision, and quick acceleration made him a consistent threat after the catch. He forced 26 missed tackles last season, one of the highest marks in the draft class.
How'd Tai turn this into a TD?! 😲
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) May 20, 2025
We're revisiting former @TerpsFootball star WR Tai Felton's 2024 highlight score vs. UConn 👇#TouchdownTuesday x #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/JDpGCQN52U
Felton will also help on special teams. He logged over 100 snaps on kick and punt coverage units at Maryland and recorded 12 career special teams tackles. That background boosts his chances of staying active on gameday while developing his offensive role.
There are still concerns that could limit Felton's early impact. He struggles with physicality, often getting outmuscled by stronger corners, and managed to haul in just 39 percent of his targets in tight coverage last season. His hands are inconsistent—eight drops in 2023 is a number that won’t fly at the next level and will need to be corrected if he wants to earn J.J. McCarthy’s trust. Despite his elite speed, his inability to consistently track the deep ball also limits his effectiveness as a true vertical threat.
Felton projects to begin the season as Minnesota’s fourth receiver, behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor. However, he could see early reps if Addison is suspended for last year's DUI case. A realistic rookie stat line might be around 20 receptions and key special teams contributions.
Long term, Felton has upside. Nailor will be a free agent after the season, and if Felton flashes in 2025, he could step into the number three receiver role in 2026. The speed and versatility are there. Now it's about showing consistency, toughness, and hands that the Vikings can trust.