FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tai Felton
Tai Felton (WR – Maryland)
6-foot-3 | 186 Pounds
Background
A three-star recruit who played sparingly as a true freshman, Tai Felton finished with five catches. He then started six out of 13 games the following year and went 23-309-2 (13.4). Became a full-time starter in 2023, with a line of 48-723-6 (15.1) before earning First-Team All-Conference honors this past year with a breakout season — 96-1,124-9 (11.7).
Positives
Has over two years of starting experience, with significantly escalating production in each. Lanky receiver who takes snaps on both sides of the formation, both on and off the line, and occasionally from the slot (about a quarter of his snaps.) In terms of usage, Maryland often tried to get Felton the ball with space to work on underneath routes like slants, screens/tunnels and ins, but they’d also take some shots his way down the sidelines, and use that to set up outs/comebacks.
Flashes quick feet to release at the line against press coverage. A speedy receiver who accelerates quickly and can maintain a high tempo through the stem to create separation; doesn’t always have a ton of hip sink, but his explosiveness and snappiness there is still effective. Shows impressive flexibility to adjust to passes, his length providing a reasonably big target.
Felton’s primary value as a player is in terms of what he can do after the catch. Shows impressive bursts with the ball in his hands and can be dangerous when he finds a lane. Shifty player in space, with the ability to make defenders miss one-on-one. Shows good effort to block in the screen game. Also has experience returning punts.
Negatives
Felton added a bit of bulk since arriving on campus but is still very thin throughout his body. Statistics were somewhat padded by a high volume of manufactured screens/tunnels to get the ball in his hands. His route tree in school was not the most diverse or sophisticated. Struggles to stay on track when dealing with contact during the route. Has a hard time stacking defenders when working down the sidelines and might be more of a back-shoulder option than a legitimate deep threat.
Puts some body-catching on tape. Dropped eight passes this past year. Thin build and lack of strength make it difficult for him to come down with contested catches, or hang on through contact. Doesn’t survive contact very often as a runner. Functional strength is what you’d expect given his thin frame. Gets overwhelmed on contact as a blocker. The approach to returning punts is somewhat high-risk.
Summary
A tall, flexible and shifty receiver whose burst and ability to make defenders miss in space led Maryland to manufacture him touches on screens, slants and punt returns, Felton’s production increased substantially every season. However, he still looks a ways away from being a regular contributor, as his frame is very thin, his functional strength and blocking skills are limited and he’s coming from an offense that didn’t ask him to run the most diverse route tree.
Consequently, probably projects as more of a mid-round developmental pick who could use a season or two of development, primarily in a pro-strength program.
Projection: Round 5
Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports 
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More 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports for Wide Receivers
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- Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)
- Isaiah Bond (Texas)
- Tre Harris III (Mississippi)
- Matthew Golden (Texas)
- Xavier Restrepo (Miami)
- Tez Johnson (Oregon)
- Tai Felton (Maryland)
- Savion Williams (TCU)
- Pat Bryant (Illinois)
- Kaden Prather (Maryland)
- Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)
- Jalen Royals (Utah State)
- Jack Bech (TCU)
- Tory Horton (Colorado State)
- Ricky White III (UNLV)
- Jaylin Noel (Iowa State)
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- Kobe Hudson (Central Florida)
- LaJohntay Wester (Colorado)
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