Kevin O’Connell Sounds Off on Vikings Rookie
In April, the Minnesota Vikings used Round 3 to draft Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton, and six months later, the head coach is raving about the guy.
The Minnesota Vikings head coach, Kevin O’Connell, delivered a glowing review of one somewhat unsung rookie this week.
Felton has forged a special teams role out of the gate in his young NFL career, and Kevin O’Connell just loves it.
Tai Felton Fetches High Praise from Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell
Fans haven’t focused much on Felton through three weeks, but he’s impressing those who matter behind the scenes.
Kevin O’Connell Heaps Praise on Rookie WR Tai Felton
Reporters asked O’Connell if Felton was meeting expectations so far in the 2025 campaign, and the skipper unleashed — in a good way.
“Yeah, first and foremost, I loved how he’s attacked it. He’s truly been one of the more dynamic players, specifically at that gunner position in football. I think that comes down to what that rep is,” O’Connell replied.
“In a lot of ways, I’ve tried to get him to look at it as if he’s a receiver beating press coverage. So every time he takes that rep, hopefully it’s having a down-the-line impact on him playing wide receiver as well. And we’ve kind of already seen that show up, whether it’s on the practice field or in his one catch that did not get the first down last week, even though he signaled first down, it was a good learning moment for him.”
Most fans didn’t think Minnesota would pick a wide receiver so high in the draft, but Felton was the selection nevertheless.
O’Connell added, “Always see the sticks, but no, I couldn’t be happier with where he’s at. And we just happen to have at this point for you know guys we consider starters in the room.”
“And then him and Myles Price are really serving huge roles, but not directly related to offensive football now, but their time is certainly coming, and they just got to keep working behind the scenes to be ready to go.”
Just Special Teams Action for Now
Felton has primarily factored into special teams through three games, though O’Connell did toss him in the offense during garbage time last weekend. He grabbed a pass for 9 yards and is officially off the schneid as a pass-catcher.
But that was when Minnesota absolutely had the win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the bag. Otherwise, Felton has banked 57 special teams snaps, which O’Connell commended him for this week.
A speedster, Felton is hitting his groove in football’s “third phase.”
A Broader Role as Season Wears On
And this is the way it goes for some rookies, particularly for mid- and late-rounders. Felton must get in where he fits in, as rapper Too Short used to proclaim 30 years ago.
Still, the Vikings didn’t draft Felton for him to play special-teams-only forever, and before too long, the man should get an extended look in the passing game, especially if injuries affect Jalen Nailor or Adam Thielen, for example.
Felton has the speed to do some damage. He must refine his route-running and route tree. Then, the sky is the limit.
Vikings Need WRs to Contribute
What’s more, Minnesota needs wide receivers to step up. Justin Jefferson is doing Jeffersonian things, but aside from him, Jalen Nailor is on pace for about 500 yards, Adam Thielen has 2 catches in 3 games, and then that’s pretty much it.
Felton would be perfect for more targets in the offense, whether from J.J. McCarthy or Carson Wentz. Jordan Addison’s return this weekend will help immensely, but even then, another dependable or shifty playmaker could do numbers with McCarthy or Wentz.
Maybe it’ll be Felton.
PPTSD on Tai Felton
Before last week’s win over the Bengals, our Kyle Joudry wrote about Felton and his special teams role: “The receiver possesses 4.37 speed. He hasn’t yet gotten onto the field for offense. He has, however, been showing off that speed on specials for 35 snaps, leading to his trio of tackles.”
“The Vikings, desperate for any good fortune, will be hoping that Mr. Wright finds Mr. Felton for a few more layups when the Bengals come to town on Sunday, September 21st. He’s getting to the returner so quick that there is no return. Doing so is basically the special teams version of a pass rusher getting pressure on the quarterback, leading to throwing away the ball instead of attempting to earn yards.”
Felton is 6’1″ and 185 pounds.
Joudry continued, “Combating the problem, per Daniels, may involve devoting a pair of blockers toward Felton (just like teams will double someone like Jonathan Greenard). If that ends up being the case, then the Vikings’ focus will rest on winning somewhere else. Football is a numbers game. Seeing a single player — in this case, Tai Felton — demand the effort from two blockers means that someone is going to be left free to get down the field.”
“So, Felton’s excellence won’t be wasted even if there’s a twosome out there capable of slowing down the receiver who is shining on specials.”
The Vikings’ next game will occur in Ireland this Sunday, and Minnesota is favored to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers by two or three points.
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