Vikings Add a Speedy Playmaker After a Short Delay
The Minnesota Vikings started the draft by selecting offensive guard Donovan Jackson. A sure-fire starter early in his career, the Ohio State product completes the interior offensive line overhaul, and Skol Nation can feel good about the blocking unit for the first time in years.
Vikings Add a Speedy Playmaker After a Short Delay
Head coach Kevin O’Connell can change some stuff in his scheme, but it was already built around a vertical passing game for which the quarterback had to stand in the pocket for a while.
With the reformed line, first-year passer J.J. McCarthy should have time to launch some rockets down the field. The Vikings’ second pick will be perfect for that. Maryland’s wideout Tai Felton was the selection.
That pick came a little later than anticipated. The Vikings moved back from their 97th draft pick, getting the 102nd pick instead. That move allowed the club to move up from 187 to 142. A potential reason for the trade is that the Falcons traded right in front of them to select Notre Dame’s safety, Xavier Watts. Some viewed him as a possible target.
Instead, the Vikings acquire Felton, the Maryland weapon. The speedy wideout contributed in the last four seasons, tabulating a total of 2,207 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns. His most productive year came in 2024 when he registered 1,124 yards and nine scores.
Felton possesses intriguing athleticism. At the combine, he clocked in at 6-1, 183 pounds, and ran a 4.37 40-yard dash with fantastic splits and explosive jumps.
Vikings senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson said after the pick: “The 4.3 [40 speed] is something that’s going to catch your eye. The first thing a scout always does is see if you see that on tape. We all saw that when we sat and watched him.”
The receiver also emphasized that he can catch punts and kickoffs, although he only did that briefly in college.
He filmed his reaction to the draft pick, and it looks like the man is excited to come to the Twin Cities as the Mr. Irrelevant of the Friday draft session.
The folks from NFL Draft Buzz wrote about him: “Tai Felton projects as an immediate contributor from the slot with eventual potential to develop into a starting Z-receiver in systems that prize route technicians over pure athletes. He not only can take the top off defenses with 4.3 speed, but can also be the one moving chains on third down with crafty stems and sharp breaks that corners just can’t mirror.”
Roster Impact
The Vikings are set at WR1 and WR2 with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jalen Nailor was the WR3 last year, and he could lose his role or at least some reps to Felton.
Nailor produced 414 yards and six touchdowns last season. The upcoming season will be his contract year, so the pick could indicate a departure after the 2025 campaign.
Other receivers on the team are Rondale Moore, who offers some short-yardage quickness once he’s back from a knee injury, and Tim Jones, who is primarily a special teamer. Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, and another former Maryland player, Jeshaun Jones, provide more depth.
Scheme Impact
Adding another weapon could indicate more usage of 11-personnel. That means playing one running back, one tight end, and three wideouts. More sets with three wideouts instead of two wideouts ends could be a possible transformation.
That would lead to fewer plays for Josh Oliver and C.J. Ham.
All of this is purely speculation, however, and something we have to wait and see unfold in the future.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.
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