Tai Felton NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Maryland WR

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 186

HAND: 8⅞"

ARM: 30⅜"

WINGSPAN: 72¾"

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POSITIVES

— Locates and exploits soft spots within zone coverage.

— Quick route runner and a natural separator.

— Short-area burst/acceleration at the top of his route.

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NEGATIVES

— Does not possess top-end speed to be a consistent vertical threat.

— Thin, wiry frame and lacks desired play strength for a perimeter receiver.

— Physical coverage disrupts timing and pushes him off the route path.

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NOTES

— Born March 15, 2003

— 3-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: First-Team All-Big 10; Biletnikoff Semifinalist; Team captain;

— 2023: Third-Team All-Big Ten

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OVERALL

Tai Felton is a plus-level route runner with good timing to hit his landmarks.

Felton wins with short-area quickness and footwork. He can shake defenders with hesitation maneuvers and the rocket step technique. Felton separates well in the short and intermediate portions of the field. Good push on the vertical plane to create opportunities to separate on in/out-breaking routes. His cuts at the breaking point have good suddenness and sharpness to create natural separation. Separating from coverage is his best skill set and he does it well.

Felton's coverage recognition is a strong part of his process. He has good zone recognition and can work inside the soft spots of the coverage. On the outside, he is effective on slants, daggers, quick hitches, and comeback routes. With the ball, Felton has a good motor to take on contact and fight for extra yards—doesn't go down without a fight.

However, play strength is a missing part of his game. Felton struggles to counter physical/handsy defenders. Both inside the contact window and during his route stems—will be knocked off his path easier than I'd like. Not for the lack of trying, Felton does not reel in contested catches at a high rate. His lack of strength and a plus wingspan show up. Felton's short-area burst is fine but top-end speed will not overwhelm defenders. Defensive backs are consistently stride for stride with him down the field if they do not lose leverage quickly at the line of scrimmage. Felton's frame appears wiry on tape, combined with the lack of play strength, which can lead to him playing mostly in the slot in the NFL.

In conclusion, Tai Felton projects as a slot/movement Z receiver with quick route runner and separation abilities. If paired with a true number-one receiver, he can find success on the lesser defenders on the opposing defense. He is an adequate NFL wide receiver with a solid ceiling to buy into.

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GRADE: 6.8 (Potential Role Player—Fourth Round)

OVERALL RANK: 129

POSITION RANK: WR16

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Jalen McMillan

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.