The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2025 NFL Draft with minimal draft capital—only four total picks, the fewest of any team this year. Instead of trading down from their first-round spot, they stayed put and addressed a major need by selecting guard Donovan Jackson with the 24th overall pick to bolster the offensive line.
General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had to wait until the third round for Minnesota’s next selection, which came at No. 97 overall—a compensatory pick awarded due to quarterback Kirk Cousins’ departure in free agency. It was at this point that the Vikings finally made a move, trading down with the Houston Texans. In the deal, they dropped five spots in the third round but jumped ahead by 57 spots in the later rounds.
Tai FeltonWith that pick, the Vikings added speed and explosiveness to their offense, drafting Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton. Despite having only two selections left, now both in the fifth round, Minnesota added a dynamic playmaker in Felton, who could immediately push for playing time in a thin receiver room. Last year’s WR3, Jalen Nailor, held the role by default—Felton brings a real challenge to that status.
Felton put up big numbers at Maryland, racking up 1,124 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 96 receptions in 2024 alone. Standing 6’2” with elite athleticism—highlighted by a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and a 39.5-inch vertical—he’s a big-play threat. One of his standout performances came against the Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium, where he tallied 104 receiving yards in his fifth 100-yard game of the season, even in a 48-23 loss.
Leave a Reply