After bulking up the interior offensive line in Round 1, the Minnesota Vikings added a burner on the outside for quarterback J.J. McCarthy to close out Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft
After trading back six spots with the Houston Texans, the Vikings used the 102nd overall pick on Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton.
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The 6-foot-1, 183-pound wide out posted an impressive athletic score at the NFL Scouting Combine, and is coming off a 96-catch, 1,119-yard, nine-touchdown season with the Terrapins. He’ll join a Minnesota passing attack that already features an embarrassment of riches in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Rondale Moore, T.J. Hockenson and Jalen Nailor.
NFL Draft experts had mixed reviews on Minnesota’s Day 2 move, as Felton is a bit undersized and has some things to clean up at the catch point. The Vikings also had bigger needs than No. 5 wide receiver, particularly on defense at defensive tackle, safety and cornerback.
Here’s what the experts are saying about the Vikings’ new offensive weapon:
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Expert grades for Tai Felton to Vikings at No. 102 overall
Trapasso: “Somewhat tall and spindly burner on the outside. Plays very close to his timed speed. Press initially hurt him at the line but he makes concerted effort to battle through. Decelerates well on comebacks but isn’t a true separator. Tracks it like a center-fielder deep because of his experience in that role. Deceptively good YAC but some drops appear on film. Dynamic addition to take the lid off the defense in Minnesota.”
Iyer: “The Vikings were reeled into taking Felton’s intriguing speed and quickness as a field stretcher but he needs serious route-running work to see the field to make an impact anytime soon.”
Middlehurst-Schwartz: “There’s no shortage of juice in the Vikings’ receiving corps with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading the way, but now Minnesota can prepare to spread the wealth with J.J. McCarthy at the helm. Felton will strain defenses with his acceleration, though he could be neutralized by physical defensive backs.”
McDonald: “Has hands issues and is more of a finesse wideout than someone who brings a rugged edge. Speed slot with big-play ability and can stretch the field.”
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