New Speedster Is “Best Value” Player for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped their arms around speed this offseason, adding about four newcomers with intense quickness.
New Speedster Is “Best Value” Player for Vikings
One such example arrived from the 2025 NFL Draft, and he just so happens to be the team’s “best value” draft pick, according to Bleacher Report.
He’s Tai Felton, a wide receiver from Maryland.
Tai Felton as the Best Value Rookie for Vikings
BR’s Brent Sobleski nominated a best value draft pick from each NFL team last week, and for Minnesota, Felton earned the title.
Sobleski wrote, “On a Minnesota Vikings roster that already features a fantastic group of offensive weapons in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, it’s easy to gloss over the draft selection of another wide receiver in Maryland’s Tai Felton.”
“In a small class that includes only five total prospects, Felton has a good chance to overdeliver after being the last pick on Day 2 of the NFL draft.”
Most fans thought the club would select a defensive tackle, safety, or cornerback in Round 3, so the Felton choice turned heads, not necessarily in a bad way.
Sobleski added, “On a roster that featured another NFL wide receiver in Kaden Prather, whom the Buffalo Bills chose in the seventh round, Felton asserted himself as the top target. During the 2024 campaign, the first-team All-Big Ten selection led the squad by a significant margin with 96 receptions — which tied for second among FBS wide receivers — for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns.”
“Felton will battle Jalen Nailor to be the Vikings’ third wide receiver.”
An Eventual WR3 Battle Indeed
NFL teams don’t choose Round 3 wideouts without big plans for the playmakers. Perhaps if Minnesota scooped Felton from Round 5, 6, or 7, onlookers could perceive him as a roster flyer, but Felton isn’t like that.
Therefore, whether in 2025 or 2026, Felton will at least receive a solemn audition at the WR3 job next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. For now, Jalen Nailor holds the gig, and his contract is set to expire after the 2025 campaign.
Felton might realistically project as the WR4 in 2025, but Round 3 wideouts should have WR1 or WR3 upside.
Speed Galore for Minnesota This Offseason
Felton wasn’t the only speed merchant signed by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah this offseason.
The young executive inked cornerback Isaiah Rodgers from free agency, a man showcasing 4.28 speed at the NFL Combine a few years ago. Rondale Moore joined the club, too, and although he’s recovering from a season-ending injury that nullified his 2024 campaign, his speed is 4.29.
Then, via undrafted free agency, the Vikings signed Texas wide receiver Silas Bolden, who could seize special teams returning duties sometime in the fall.
The aforementioned Nailor is fast as hell, as well, so Minnesota has speed oozing from its ears.
Vikings Usually Tout Round 1 WRs
Felton is a change of pace for Minnesota.
The franchise is well-known for wide receiver majesty in Round 1, successfully drafting Randy Moss, Justin Jefferson, Percy Harvin, and Jordan Addison in the last quarter century.
With Felton, the Vikings will hope the WR prosperity continues from mid-rounds, sort of forbidden territory for the purple team. Before Felton, Minnesota hadn’t selected a 3rd-Round wide receiver in 22 years; Nate Burleson was the last example.
What Felton Does Best
Felton gets separation from defenders somewhat seamlessly on his routes and uses speed to dagger them. Along with those traits, his deep-threat capability naturally meshes well.
At 6’1″ and 185 pounds, his frame isn’t to die for as an NFL wide receiver, and his contested-catch prowess will need development.
On the whole, however, if you like speed from Round 3, Felton is the guy.
Felton and about 19 others will arrive in Eagan on Friday at rookie minicamp, the next stop in the offseason, with the regular season less than four months away. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy may even be there, though he’s not technically a rookie.
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