Chiefs Draft: Maryland’s Tai Felton would be another speedy wideout

With simply over per week to go till the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ve got seen particulars leak about numerous gamers scheduling conferences with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

One place that has been curiously mild for rumored Chiefs draft curiosity has been broad receiver. After utilizing a primary or second spherical choice at wideout every of the final three drafts, Kansas Metropolis has not been reported to have hosted any of this yr’s high move catchers.

A scattering of potential Day Three broad receiver alternatives have been linked to the Chiefs. This consists of Maryland’s Tai Felton, who had a latest digital go to with the Chiefs per Justin Melo of The Draft Community.

Let’s take a look at what the Chiefs could also be seeing in Felton.

Background

Felton got here to Maryland in 2021 as a three-star recruit out of Ashburn, Virginia. His early school profession was impacted by restoration from a torn ACL in highschool. After seeing his position enhance for his first three seasons in Faculty Park, Felton exploded in 2024 with 96 receptions for 1124 yards and 9 touchdowns.

He was not used as a returner at Maryland, however Felton did file 11 particular groups tackles in school.

Felton attended the Senior Bowl and was invited to the NFL Scouting Mix. He was a giant winner in Indianapolis, with an excellent 4.38-second 40-yard sprint time. His recorded peak was 6’1” and he weighed 183 lbs. He paired an elite 39.5-inch vertical soar together with his eye-popping pace numbers.

Movie analysis

Felton’s pace exhibits on movie, irrespective of how brief the space he finally runs. His burst upon truly getting the ball in his palms ought to have him on draft boards, and he additionally takes care of the ball via some important full-speed collisions with defenders.

Though the ball is finally dumped off on this clip, Felton is a enjoyable participant to observe off the road of scrimmage when he takes off at full pace. Most prospects who catch the Chiefs’ eye present frequent pre-snap movement. Felton is sort of at all times lined up broad or within the slot, however his pace with a working begin could be intriguing.

Throughout routes, Felton does change route very well, creating good pockets to achieve area towards opposing cornerbacks. Head coach Andy Reid’s offense will at all times worth separation and yards after the catch over contested ball means. Felton’s means to get open (and generally idiot defenders, as within the second clip towards Penn State) will probably be interesting. Nonetheless, His slender body could make him extra prone to being knocked off his routes as a professional.

Quick routes via the center are Felton’s greatest energy. On this landing towards USC, he runs a ten-yard route with out the secondary realizing he’s there earlier than getting pushed into the tip zone. Even with out being pushed, he nearly at all times falls ahead to achieve an extra yard or two.

The 4-8 Terrapins didn’t have many alternatives to win video games, however Felton shines on off-script performs. He highpoints a brief move in a two-minute drill as Maryland comes again to defeat USC. He catches the ball so late into the play that he has no enterprise turning the move right into a 13-yard acquire, however he rapidly identifies the weakest lane within the protection and assaults at full pace.

Sadly, Felton’s small body will stop him from ever being mistaken for Rashee Rice with the ball in his hand. His performs nearly at all times at the very least acquire reasonable constructive yardage, however his pace can solely assist a lot when going through a number of heavier defenders.

His slender 183-pound girth additionally negates Felton’s effectiveness as a blocker, top-of-the-line paths to crack an energetic roster as a reserve broad receiver. Felton is keen to tackle defenders downfield and rapidly will get himself in the appropriate place. However his measurement limitations present. Typically, as in these two clips, these limitations show expensive.

A possible NFL staff should be satisfied that their teaching can enhance Felton’s blocking to justify utilizing a mid to late spherical choice on him.

The underside line

No matter their intentions at broad receiver on draft weekend, the Chiefs appear intent on including pace to the room following the free company departures of Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman. Of wideouts reported to have conferences or visits with Kansas Metropolis, the slowest 40 time has been 4.44 seconds (Sam Brown Jr. of Miami).

Felton positively has the wheels the Chiefs covet, although he’s a more durable projection than different receivers as a result of his school offense lacks a lot of the movement and designed touches widespread to Reid’s schemes.

His protection means on particular groups would give him a path to the roster, although there are cleaner matches on offense. Assuming Reid’s workers believes his blocking can enhance, it could not be shocking to see Felton despatched to Kansas Metropolis on the draft’s third day.