
Vikings NFL Draft strategy under fire, ignores defense for wide receiver Tai Felton
Vikings gamble on offense, leaving their defense out in the cold (Image via: Getty Images)
The Minnesota
Vikings
made waves during the 2025 NFL Draft and not in the way most fans or analysts expected. With clear holes to fill on defense, especially after safety Cam Bynum left in free agency, many thought the Vikings would use their limited draft capital to plug the gaps in Brian Flores' secondary.
Instead, they threw a curveball opting to beef up their offense by selecting Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson in the first round, and then surprising everyone by grabbing Maryland wide receiver
Tai Felton
in the third. The result? A fanbase wondering if the Vikings just let a major defensive need fall through the cracks.
Tai Felton joins a loaded WR room: Call it an unnecessary risk?
Tai Felton Highlights 😈😈 Welcome to the Vikings
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
Felton is no slouch. He's coming off a standout 2024 season with 96 catches, 1,119 yards, and 9 touchdowns. He also tested well at the Combine, showing off the athleticism and explosiveness teams crave. But with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, and newly added Rondale Moore already in the mix, Felton's selection raised eyebrows. Why go for another wideout when safety depth is razor-thin?
One possible reason is insurance. Addison is facing potential NFL discipline after a 2024 DUI arrest.
Felton
could be O'Connell's backup plan or even his long-term vision for a more explosive WR3 option.
What does this mean for Jalen Nailor's future?
If there's one Viking on thin ice right now, it might be Jalen Nailor. Though he quietly carved out a role and tallied six touchdowns last season, he's entering the final year of his rookie deal. Felton, who plays primarily on the outside like Nailor, might be viewed as his potential replacement.
Analyst Sterling Xie even listed Nailor as a surprise cut or trade candidate this offseason, especially considering his limited impact on special teams. It's a tough spot for a promising young receiver who seemed to be building momentum.
Did Minnesota miss a golden chance to fix its defense?
While CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso called Felton a 'dynamic addition,' others are wondering if the Vikings simply ignored the bigger picture. With standout safeties like Georgia's Malaki Starks still on the board, the decision to double-down on offense might haunt Minnesota if the defense crumbles during crunch time.
Also Read:
49ers exploring options after Jake Moody's struggles, 69-game veteran Zane Gonzalez under consideration
The Vikings are clearly all-in on surrounding J.J. McCarthy with firepower. But if the defense can't hold the line, even the most electric offense won't be enough. Minnesota might have gotten flash but did they sacrifice grit in the process?

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
39 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Kicker Daniel Carlson and punter AJ Cole put best feet forward for Raiders
HENDERSON, Nev. — Neither took the easy path to get here. But because Daniel Carlson and AJ Cole persevered, the Las Vegas Raiders have perhaps the best kicker-punter duo in the NFL. Las Vegas showed its appreciation to Cole by signing him late last month to an extension that briefly made him the league's highest-paid punter. Now the question is whether the Raiders will show the same kind of appreciation toward Carlson, who enters the final season of his four-year, $18.4 million deal. 'Going on year eight as a Raider now, that's essentially been my whole career,' Carlson said. "Just honored to be a part of this historic organization and excited about where we're headed this year and the direction we're going as a program. So if happens, I'd love that, but I'm focused on the football side.' For kickers with at least 85 attempts over the past three seasons, Carlson was fifth in conversion rate at 89.3%. His 24 made field goals from 50 yards and beyond ranked fourth. He's also having to adjust to new kickoff rules for the second season in a row. The NFL changed its format last year, placing 10 kick coverage players at the opposing 40-yard line. Touchbacks put the ball at the 30. Now touchbacks will begin possession at the 35 to encourage even more kickoff returns. 'It's going to be hard as coaches to say, 'Hey, let's just give them the ball at the 35,'' Raiders special teams coach Tom McMahon said. "I think that's the biggest thing that's going to change with that new touchback rule.' Carlson was effective in limiting the damage last season when he put the ball in play, which he did often with 68% of kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. For those with at least 30 kickoffs last season, Carlson was second in the league in allowing 23 yards per kickoff return, just behind the 22.2 average of Greg Zuerlein of the New York Jets. 'There's almost like some soccer skills that are popping up again, where it's a little more feel, just because it's a very different kick than a field goal,' Carlson said. 'You don't want to necessarily just kick it straight to the returner or anything like that.' Adapting to new circumstances is nothing new for Carlson. As a rookie in 2018 for Minnesota, he missed three field goals — two in overtime — in a 29-29 tie with NFC North rival Green Bay. The Vikings waived him the following day. Carlson caught on with the then-Oakland Raiders — he's one of four players left who played for the team in the Bay Area — and soon began to establish himself as the one of the league's best kickers. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2021 and a first-teamer the next season. Cole's path was different, but like Carlson, became one of the top players at his position when the early odds appeared against him. Cole, who also began his NFL career in Oakland, entered minicamp in 2019 hoping just to remain on the roster after those three days. He wound up beating out Johnny Townsend in training camp. 'I showed up to that minicamp and I really just felt like, 'This could be it, and I'm going to go into every single one of these three days and I'm going to get all the juice I can,'' Cole said. "I've been trying to keep that same mentality, and I'm just on absolute borrowed time. I enjoy every single day. I don't think there's anybody that has more fun at work than I do. It's just such a blessing.' Cole has averaged at least 50 yards three of the past four seasons, a feat that only Ryan Stenhouse has matched in league history. He also is third in gross punting average and eighth in net average since his first season. Such production earned Cole first-team All-Pro in 2021 and 2023. And a contract extension. Cole was rewarded with a four-year, $15.8 million deal on May 26 that included $11 million in guaranteed money. That gave him the distinction of being the NFL's highest-paid punter, but this week was passed by two other players. Not that Cole is complaining. When asked if he planned a major purchase, he said that already had been made before signing the contract. 'All of my plants died, so we just re-landscaped our yard,' Cole said. "So I'm really excited that I get to stay here and watch those plants grow up. I don't know if you guys have bought plants before, but they're really, really expensive. "So that was the big-ticket purchase — a couple of new queen palm trees in the backyard and a couple sweet Bay laurels on the side.' /hub/nfl


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Saints receiver Chris Olave brushes off concussion concerns and laughs off trade talk
METAIRIE, La. — Chris Olave, the New Orleans Saints leading receiver in two of his first three seasons, wanted to make two things clear. He is not concerned about the long-term implications of repeated concussions and sees himself spending his entire career with New Orleans. Olave has been a full participant in non-contact, offseason practices and this week's mandatory minicamp, but has not played in an NFL game since last Nov. 3. That was the day he was leveled by Panthers safety Xavier Woods during a downfield route across the middle of the field. Olave remained in a prone position on the field for several minutes, after which he was taken from the stadium to a Charlotte hospital. While he was permitted to return to practice in December, he never returned to the lineup. 'It was tough, man, at first.; I ain't never really sat out that long," Olave said after practice on Wednesday. "That was really my first major injury. ... Just not being able to go and practice and go to meetings with my guys was the worst part, but I feel like I'm ready. I was training and lifting and everything in December. So, I feel like I'm good.' Olave has had at least four confirmed concussions in his first three seasons. The first occurred when he was a rookie in 2022 during an Oct. 9 game against Seattle. He missed just the following game and finished the season with team highs of 72 catches for 1,042 yards. During the 2023 season, he did not miss a game after a Week 12 concussion against Atlanta and finished that season with team highs of 87 catches and 1,123 yards receiving. Last season, however, he missed nine games because of two concussions. He sat out just one game after his first against Tampa Bay on Oct. 13 before the Nov. 3 one in Carolina ended his third NFL season. Olave consulted with specialists after the most recent head injury. 'They said I was OK back in December when they cleared me. It was just unlucky situations I was being put in,' Olave said. "God's got me at the end of the day. I'm not worried about nothing. So, just got to go out there 100% and be ready.' Saints rookie coach Kellen Moore, hired in February after winning a Super Bowl with Philadelphia as the Eagles' offensive coordinator, has largely brushed aside questions about Olave's concussion history. 'I don't worry too much about that," Moore said. "We feel really really good about Chris. He's had an excellent offseason, an excellent career so far and an excellent future. 'We feel like we've got a good one in him,' Moore added. So, apparently, do some other teams who've reportedly asked the Saints about their willingness to trade Olave as New Orleans rebuilds from a five-win 2024 season. The Saints also have lacked a proven quarterback since veteran Derek Carr's sudden retirement in May. All three of New Orleans current QBs have less than three season of experience and not a single NFL win. But Olave expressed optimism about those young QBs — rookie Tyler Shough, second-year pro Spencer Rattler and third-year pro Jake Haener. 'The young QBs are good,' Olave said. 'I don't think they're going to come in and have hiccups. I feel like they got a good head on their shoulders. They got a good IQ. They're ready to play NFL ball. So, I'm excited.' Olave also laughed off reports that he's the subject of trade offers. 'It's all rumors, man,' Olave said. 'In the offseason, everybody's trying to have something for clicks. So, I love it here. I love the front office. I love my coaches. I'm excited to be here and I want to be here forever.' /hub/nfl


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Josh Allen's $330M contract exposed as a scam by taxes — fans say he's getting robbed as he's losing millions each year
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen may have just inked one of the biggest deals in NFL history, but it turns out he won't be taking home as much as fans expected. While Allen's six-year, $330 million contract extension was hailed as a league-defining move, the latest tax breakdown has many fans stunned — and even sympathetic. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The true cost of playing in New York state has fans questioning Allen's massive paycheck Allen's blockbuster extension stands as the second-largest contract ever signed in the NFL, just behind Patrick Mahomes' $450 million deal with the Chiefs. But financial reality quickly settled in as a viral breakdown from ML Football on X (formerly Twitter) showed the staggering amount Allen will owe in taxes — over $27 million annually, to be exact. Here's what the numbers show: $20.35 million goes to federal income tax $5.9 million is claimed by New York State taxes $1.3 million heads to federal payroll taxes And another $478,500 is deducted due to the 'jock tax,' a charge for athletes playing in multiple states This brings Allen's take-home pay from this segment of the deal to just over $25.27 million—a far cry from the original nine-figure headline. Social media reacts with humor and frustration over Allen's tax reality As expected, fans took to social media to react — many with disbelief, others with laughter. 'Poor guy can't catch a break,' one user joked. Another added, 'That's why you don't live in NY,' reflecting widespread frustration over high state taxes. Even those who recognize Allen's extreme wealth couldn't help but feel that the system takes a big chunk out of athletes' earnings. Still, others were quick to point out that Allen will be 'just fine,' financially. His earlier $258 million extension from 2021, rookie contract earnings, and numerous endorsement deals keep his net worth robust. While taxes may be eating into his income, Allen's ambitions remain the same: lead the Bills to a championship. The 2025 season kicks off with a primetime Week 1 showdown against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The game is a high-stakes rematch of their last postseason meeting, where Buffalo escaped with a 27-25 win. Also Read: Allen's bank account may be lighter than fans thought, but his drive to bring a Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo is as heavy as ever.