The Minnesota Vikings surprisingly took a wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft that has only grown more and more to be the right choice.
During the draft, the Vikings took former Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton in the third round. Felton’s 4.37-second 40-yard dash allowed him to be in contention for the number three receiver position behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison while competing with Jalen Nailor.
Felton has been receiving great praise so far through rookie mini-camp and is seen as someone who could make an impact in 2025. His work at Maryland helped paint that picture, but a video camera caught the moment that will show Vikings fans Felton will be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
Cameras followed Tai Felton leading up to when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the NFL Draft
The Maryland Terrapins released a short 15-minute documentary about Felton’s journey from high school to the NFL. It showed how he improved and overcame adversity to get to where he is now.
One moment shown in the video was Felton on the second night of the NFL Draft, waiting to be called. Going through the third round, Felton could be seen being counseled by him mother, family members, and friends as he was visibly upset.
At one moment, he got up to go sit in the car by himself, and his mother was planning on what to say if Felton wasn’t selected. Moments later, with Felton back on the couch, he got the call from the Vikings that he would be picked with the 102nd selection in the third round.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell were excited to select Felton.
“I’m jacked up about this guy, man, like for real,” O’Connell said after making the pick. “Let’s go,” Adofo-Mensah responded.
Felton spent all four years with the Terrapins as he saved his most impactful season for his last. In 2024, he caught 96 passes for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games as he earned a first-team All-Big Ten selection.
It’s a long road for Felton, who is just starting his NFL career, but the emotions he showed when he got picked should give everyone enough to know he will be a great player. Watch Felton play motivated as he proves everyone wrong about passing up on him.