Vikings Rookie with Blistering Speed “Can’t Be Stopped”
Consider Matt Daniels a fan of Tai Felton, a Vikings rookie who possesses blistering speed.
The Vikings’ special teams coach had plenty of good things to say of Mr. Felton earlier in the week, uplifting the receiver due to his prowess as a gunner. Kick it over to Coach Daniels for what he sees in the young fella: “[Felton] believes that he can’t be stopped. Really untameable, undeniable type of attitude that you really appreciate. And he goes out and wins those one-on-one matchups […] It’s going to require two guys to try to hold [Felton] up. Otherwise, it’s going to be layup city left and right between him and Mr. Wright.”
Vikings Rookie with Blistering Speed Impresses on Specials
Start off with the basics.
Tai Felton is a rookie receiver who is best known for his speed. He ran a sizzling 4.37 forty, a time that’s faster than both of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. So, too, does it come in ahead of what Jalen Nailor — the one who possesses the “Speedy” moniker — could do. Eventually, Mr. Felton should be someone who can take the top off the defense.
As a Terrapin in 2024, Felton shouldered a heavy workload.
The receiver finished his final collegiate season having picked up 96 catches, 1,124 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Averaging 11.7 yards per catch was a downgrade from seasons prior — such as the 15.1 yards-per-catch average from 2023, for instance — but the workload was beefy.
Add onto that what he did as a specialist.
Tai Felton had a small impact within the flashy roles, working as a punt returner in a limited capacity during the 2024 season. He had a pair of punt returns go for a total of 26 yards. Nothing to get too excited about but no reason for concern, either.
Where there may have been some more fascination was in Felton’s capacity to succeed in coverage.
In particular, Felton is a wonderful gunner, someone who gets down the field in a hurry. Being capable of doing so comes back to his speed. But then there’s the added element that Coach Daniels magnifies: the swagger to go into his one-on-one matchups with the understanding that he’s almost always going to win.
In fact, Coach Daniels got into Tai Felton’s abilities back in the summer, praising the rookie for his “versatility.” There’s some mention of the receiver’s capacity to be an “explosive returner” but there’s also optimism for him “being able to be a perimeter player at the gunner position.”
So far in 2025, Daniels looks smart for expecting much from Felton. Things are going so well that Coach Daniels now thinks that Felton is essentially completing a layup when tracking down punt returners. Wright puts the ball up and Felton is on the returner’s toes in no time, making a return ultra difficult.
Currently, the Vikings are working through some injury turmoil, most notably with sophomore passer J.J. McCarthy. Other very important players — Ryan Kelly, Aaron Jones, and so on — have been dinged up, as well. The team, in short, is looking for a boost wherever it can get it.
Maybe the contributions from young Vikings receiver Tai Felton can end up making a major difference on Sunday when the Bengals come to town.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Sports Reference CFB helped with this piece.
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