Tai Felton May Be the Steal for Vikings

Ted Schwerzler |

Apr 28, 2025

Oct 19, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton (10) runs by Southern California Trojans safety Kamari Ramsey (7) during the second half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Last season, the Maryland Terrapins came into Huntington Bank Stadium with a wide receiver that the Minnesota Gophers needed to shut down. Of course, P.J. Fleck’s team won the game in a rout, but Felton got his with a 100-yard game.

Tai Felton May Be the Steal for Vikings

Now, the Minnesota Vikings employ Tai Felton, and he brings a bag of tricks that could quickly have him see a prominent role at the highest level. Felton isn’t going to challenge Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison for their top roles, but he could quickly surpass Jalen Nailor and work his way into the starting lineup.

Nov 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver T. Felton (10) catches a touchdown pass as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Robert Longerbeam (7) defends during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota faces a level of uncertainty at the wide receiver position. If the NFL decides to suspend the Vikings’ number two wideout, head coach Kevin O’Connell will need someone to step up.

Last season, Nailor took over the third wideout role for the departed K.J. Osborn. He handled the uptick in playing time ok, but looked out of sorts at times. Nailor has some key drops for the Vikings, and they often left the Minnesota offense in a spot where a conversion was no longer possible.

Called On for Pro — Minnesota Vikings Wide Receivers Coach Keenan McCardell addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center. McCardell joined the Vikings in 2021 as wide receivers coach and is crediting with helping to develop Justin Jefferson and others.

Nailor has been talked up as a player to watch for the past couple of years. Injuries often kept him off the field and from inching his way up the depth chart. Now he’ll immediately have a challenger looking to come in and chip away at his playing time.

The Vikings took offensive guard Donovan Jackson in the first round, expecting him to start in Week 1. Felton doesn’t bring that same guarantee as a third-round selection, but the future expectation is certainly there. Minnesota knows how decorated Felton was in college, and he has the talent to make things work at the next level.

Sep 21, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Villanova Wildcats during the third quarter at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Image.

Stefon Diggs has set the bar for Vikings wide receivers coming out of Maryland. If Felton can encapsulate even a relative level of that production, then he and his new employer will be beyond happy with the marriage.

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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.