Draft Analysis: Tai Felton

April 11, 2025 /
  • Height: 6’1″
  • Weight: 183 lbs.
  • College: Maryland
  • Tape watched: Villanova, Minnesota, USC, Penn State
  • NFL Comparison: Marvin Mims Jr.

Pros

  • Athleticism

Tai Felton turned out to be one of 2024’s combine darlings. Felton essentially found himself in the 90th percentile of the 40-yard dash and the vertical and broad jump. Explosion and speed will not be a question for Felton heading into the draft later this month.

  • Blocking

While he gives up size and upper body strength, I really liked Felton’s focus and work in the run game. Rarely does Felton pass on his blocking assignment. He meets the corner with physicality and tenacity that is rare for the position. He showcased the ability to get low and drive his feet as well.

  • Production

From 2023 to 2024, Felton saw his receptions double on an increase of nearly 60 targets. It was clear Maryland wanted to force feed their senior receiver. Felton played in 14 games and accrued 96 receptions, 1,119 yards, and 9 touchdowns.

Midline

  • YAC

Despite 26 missed tackles forced, Felton is pretty pedestrian after the catch. He is relatively easy to bring to the ground and lacks game-changing lateral agility and start-stop speed. His calling card in the YAC game is his breakaway speed.

  • Release

Doubling back to his mediocre lateral agility, Felton can struggle in press situations. He is a tall, slender receiver that lacks upper body strength and quickness to move defenders. I do like the high motor of Felton, which shows up against press and mirror coverage. Felton never gives up on routes and will fight through contact until the end of the play.

  • Route Running

Felton is a very streamlined, vertical plane receiver. His tall frame becomes lanky working in and out of route breaks. Breaking back to the ball showcases high hip levels and extra steps to turn, both poor indicators.

Felton’s journey to his post on this route needs work. He needs to see the hook defender working under his route. He rerouts and misses a touchdown.

Cons

  • Hands

Felton finished his senior year with a 7.7% drop rate on 8 drops in 2024. He is not particularly trustworthy in contested situations either. Felton has extremely short arms and small hands, things that are not great indicators of a player with his height and downfield presence.

  • Competition

Felton’s five 100-yard games came against the likes of Michigan State (124th PFF Pass Defense), Virginia (109th), Villanova (FCS), Minnesota (40th), and UConn (10th). Two out of five of Felton’s domination games came against upper half defensive teams. Penn State (35th) held Felton to a season low of four targets with Indiana (16th) right behind at five. Will Felton’s success transition to the NFL?

  • Size

Felton has alarming weight at 183 pounds and adds to the concerns with hand size and arm length. A projected outside receiver at the next level, Felton will need to generate more ways to separate to pair with his deep speed.

Overview

Tai Felton’s tape certainly fell short of his production and combine numbers. Felton’s top 15 performance in receiving yards and top 5 in receptions certainly appears to be more of an abundance in targets rather than his ability to separate and make plays.

With size concerns, pedestrian agility, and questions on catch reliability, Felton looks to be a Day Three selection. Speed and production may catch the eye of a GM late Day Two, however.