{"id":849926,"date":"2026-04-02T20:12:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T20:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849926\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T20:12:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T20:12:21","slug":"vikings-early-draft-pick-has-massive-opportunity-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849926\/","title":{"rendered":"Vikings Early Draft Pick Has Massive Opportunity in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Kevin\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on after facing the Detroit Lions.<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> have a massive hole at WR3, and a 2025 Day 2 selection could stake his claim to it this offseason.<\/p>\n

Vikings WR Tai Felton Has Quiet Rookie Season\"Minnesota<\/p>\n

GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS \u2013 SEPTEMBER 08: Tai Felton #13 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears<\/a> at Soldier Field on September 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Felton was selected by the Vikings in the 2025 NFL<\/a> Draft with their lone Day 2 selection of the event. The pick came at 102, which was also the final selection of the 3rd round.<\/p>\n

The former Maryland receiver<\/a> saw limited playing time<\/a> in his rookie season. He was dressed for all 17 games of the year, although he started zero. The August acquisition of Vikings legend Adam Thielen pushed Felton even further down the depth chart.<\/p>\n

Felton was pretty much cemented as WR5, behind the Vikings\u2019 top 4 of Jefferson, Addison, Nailor, and Thielen. In his appearances, Felton totaled only 3 receptions for 25 yards, though 2 of the catches went for first downs. His 3 receptions came on just 3 targets.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to say whether or not Felton is still in the best of graces with the Vikings coaching staff, but we will know soon.<\/p>\n

Can Felton Take the WR3 Role in Minnesota?\"Jalen<\/p>\n

GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS \u2013 SEPTEMBER 08: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown with Jalen Nailor #1 against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on September 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The departure of Jalen Nailor to the Raiders<\/a> has left a hole at WR3 for these Vikings. Coupled with the retirement of Adam Thielen, Felton is the easy assumption to be in the driver\u2019s seat for the job.<\/p>\n

However, there is still a lot of time between now and training camp. The NFL\u2019s free agency buzz for the year is mostly over, but there are still some names out there. Rumors have been swirling regarding Deandre Hopkins<\/a>, former teammate of QB Kyler Murray.<\/p>\n

Felton does provide the speed and deep-field ability enough to justify some hope within fans that he could win the job. This would be the best case scenario, as he isn\u2019t a new contract the team would have to take on.<\/p>\n

Minnesota could also look to the draft to supplement the void. There will be a decent handful of names available around the 82nd and 97th selections that the Vikings hold. Malachi Fields, Ted Hurst, Antonio Williams, and Bryce Lance are names to realistically keep an eye on.<\/p>\n

Tai Felton needs to have a strong camp in order to win the job regardless. He will have to build chemistry with whomever the starting QB will be. Assuming the Vikings split first-team reps between Murray and McCarthy, his meshing with them could be the difference.<\/p>\n

Even if you account for Felton gunning for the job, the Vikings are still bare behind him at the receiver position. Expect Minnesota to spend a draft pick or hit free agency<\/a> to get some more competition in the room.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBrevan Bane<\/a> Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Vikings\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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