Maryland’s Tai Felton, right, runs away from Oregon’s Brandon Johnson, left, during the third quarter at Autzen Stadium. Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tai Felton WR Maryland | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Tai Felton WR Maryland
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 12/20/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.61 seconds (15%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 12/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.61 seconds (15%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 83.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 100.8 | |
| Hands: |
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75% |
| Short Receiving: |
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84% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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86% |
| Deep Threat: |
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85% |
| Blocking: |
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56% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#93
Position rank:
#9
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| College Games: 42 College Snaps: 1918 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 85/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Romeo Doubs - Nevada |
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81% |
| Puka Nacua - BYU |
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76% |
| Luke McCaffrey - Rice |
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75% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Tai Felton, a 6'2", 181-pound wide receiver from the University of Maryland, hails from Ashburn, Virginia. Born on March 15, 2003, Felton attended Stone Bridge High School, where he recorded 1,050 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2018. A three-star recruit, he committed to Maryland over offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Wake Forest, Michigan State, and Liberty.Felton's college career at Maryland began with limited playing time in his freshman year, appearing in eight games with five receptions for 51 yards. His sophomore season saw increased involvement, playing all 13 games with six starts, accumulating 23 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior in 2023, Felton started all 13 games, leading the team with six receiving touchdowns and finishing second in receptions (48) and receiving yards (723). His performance earned him Third-Team All-Big Ten honors.
The 2024 season marked a significant leap in Felton's production. He became the first player in Maryland history to begin the season with four consecutive 100+ receiving yard games. His outstanding performance placed him among the nation's leaders in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Felton's efforts garnered recognition on the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List and the Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist.
Scouting Report: Strengths
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks burner speed to consistently take the top off defenses
- Frame needs bulking up to withstand the physical nature of NFL corners
- Late bloomer whose production spike raises questions about sustainability
- May face a learning curve adapting to the complexity of NFL defenses
- Needs polish as a perimeter blocker to be a three-down player at the next level
Scouting Report: Summary
Felton's skill set translates well to the next level, particularly in offenses that prioritize precision route-running and yards after catch. His ability to create separation through technique rather than pure athleticism suggests potential as a chain-moving target in the pros. Teams running West Coast or timing-based passing schemes will likely have Felton high on their boards.Despite his productivity surge, Felton's physical tools may cap his ceiling at the NFL level. His lack of elite straight-line speed could limit his effectiveness as a deep threat, potentially pigeonholing him into a complementary role. However, his consistent improvement trajectory and production against quality opponents indicate untapped potential that could be maximized with proper development.
Felton's draft stock will hinge heavily on his pre-draft process. A strong showing in athletic testing could alleviate concerns about his speed and elevate his status. While he may not profile as a team's WR1, Felton has the tools to carve out a significant role as a reliable possession receiver with upside. His draft position will likely reflect a balance between his recent production and physical limitations.
How other scouting services rate Tai Felton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
105.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
21.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.