The Kansas City Chiefs are generating buzz as they set their sights on Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, slated for April 24. With Patrick Mahomes needing more weapons after a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss exposed offensive gaps, Felton’s breakout 2024 season—96 catches, 1,124 yards, nine touchdowns—makes him a tantalizing prospect. Reports from Heavy.com confirm the Chiefs held virtual meetings with Felton, eyeing his 4.37-second 40-yard dash and route-running finesse to bolster Andy Reid’s attack. But what opportunities and risks does this potential pick carry, and can Felton spark Kansas City’s quest for redemption?
Opportunities: Felton’s skill set screams Chiefs fit. At 6’2”, 186 pounds, his speed and 39.5-inch vertical jump, showcased at the Combine, align with Reid’s love for explosive playmakers, per Pro Football Network. His 88.6 PFF receiving grade and school-record 96 receptions highlight a knack for finding soft spots in zones, ideal for Mahomes’ quick reads. Unlike Xavier Worthy’s deep-threat role, Felton’s agility on slants and screens—averaging 6.2 yards after catch—offers versatility, easing pressure on an aging Travis Kelce. With Rashee Rice’s knee recovery uncertain and Hollywood Brown’s one-year deal expiring, Felton could slide into a WR2 role, potentially hitting 800 yards as a rookie, per FantasyPros projections. His special teams experience—eight kick returns at Maryland—adds immediate value, a Reid staple. X posts under #ChiefsDraft hype his “YAC king” potential, envisioning Mahomes-to-Felton connections tearing up Arrowhead.
Risks: Felton’s shine comes with caveats. Analysts like Dane Brugler rank him 19th among receivers, projecting a fourth-round grade due to inconsistent physicality, per The Athletic. His slender frame struggles against press coverage, with a 58% contested-catch rate, per NFL Draft Buzz. The Chiefs’ Super Bowl sack-fest (Mahomes hit 41 times in 2024) screams for a left tackle like LSU’s Will Campbell over another receiver, as X’s #FixTheLine crowd argues. Felton’s late breakout—723 yards in 2023 versus 1,124 in 2024—raises “one-year wonder” flags, and his 3.7% drop rate in Big Ten play hints at focus lapses. Drafting him over defensive needs, like a corner to spell Trent McDuffie, risks imbalance, especially with Nick Bolton’s free agency looming. Bleacher Report notes Felton’s limited route tree, leaning heavily on screens, which could falter against NFL safeties.
Outlook: The Chiefs’ interest, confirmed by Felton’s Zoom with KC, signals intent to diversify Mahomes’ arsenal, per BVM Sports. A third- or fourth-round grab—say, pick 95—could be a steal if Felton refines his strength, but passing on linemen like Missouri’s Armand Membou might haunt Veach. X debates split: #MahomesNeedsFelton sees a star; #DraftOLine begs protection first. With $14.2M in cap space, per Spotrac, Kansas City can afford a gamble, but balance is key. Felton’s ceiling—a shifty WR2—tempts, yet his floor, a special teams cog, demands caution. Will he ignite the Chiefs’ offense or fizzle under pressure? Draft night holds the answer.
