The Minnesota Vikings had just five selections in the 2025. So it was a bit interesting when they used their third-round pick (No. 102 overall) on a position of fairly minimal perceived need when they selected wide receiver Tai Felton.
Any idea Felton would challenge for a significant immediate role faded fairly quickly. He ended up suiting up for all 17 games this season, but he mostly played on special teams (293 snaps) with just 46 offensive snaps and three catches for 25 yards.
All things considered, with what the Vikings' quarterback situation became, maybe it was fine that Felton's offensive role was so small as a rookie. He did get a few kickoff return opportunities, with a 25.4 yard average on seven returns.
Looking toward his second NFL season, Felton's potential as a wide receiver remains intact. During his final collegiate season at Maryland, he had 96 receptions (four in FBS) for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns. Over his last two seasons as a Terrapin, he averaged 12.8 yards per catch with 15 touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton sounds ready to step into a bigger role
As Vikings' players got ready to depart for the offseason, KSTP's Darren Wolfson asked Felton if he buys into the adage that a player's development really accelerates between Year 1 and Year 2.
"Yeah, 100 percent", Felton said. "I feel like, however you control your mental (aspect), not being too hard on yourself, not being too down on yourself, and always believing it's gonna be better down the road, and if you put in that hard work it's all gonna show out. It's definitely between the ears for sure."
Wolfson then asked Felton what his offseason points of emphasis will be.
"Just making sure I know the playbook like the back of my hand, that's one of the biggest things."
Wolfson took the conversation to the next step, asking Felton about the idea that free agent wide receiver Jalen Nailor will be gone, and how he could be elevated all the way to the No. 3 wide receiver role next season.
"That's not my call, whatever happens, happens. But I'm gonna make sure when I come in here I'm ready, so whatever the team asks me to do, whether that's special teams or playing receiver, I'll make sure I'm ready."
With general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah already citing "economic realities" that make it unlikely Nailor will be re-signed this offseason, the Vikings will be looking for a new No. 3 wide receiver this offseason. That opportunity is set to knock prominently for Felton, and he sounds ready to show they won't have to look very far.