The Minnesota Vikings‘ wide receiver depth chart is now Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings after signing the former San Francisco 49ers standout. However, could there be a potential for another wideout to impact the group this season?
Last year, the Vikings spent a third-round pick (102nd overall) when they selected Tai Felton out of the University of Maryland. Despite being a Day 2 pick, Felton had little impact last season, recording three receptions for 25 receiving yards and 178 return yards.
Nonetheless, even with these numbers in his rookie season and the fact that Minnesota signed Jennings, FanSided’s Austen Bundy predicts that Felton will be one of three Vikings players to have a breakout performance this upcoming 2026 season.
“The 2025 third-round pick out of Maryland only caught three balls for 25 yards last season, but he’s shot up the depth chart to WR4 after the departure of Jalen Nailor in free agency and the unfortunate passing of Rondale Moore,” Bundy wrote in his article published on May 9.
“Felton could’ve been WR3, but the team signed former San Francisco 49ers pass catcher Jauan Jennings on Thursday to fill that role, although he’s not guaranteed to keep it.
“It took Jennings nearly two months to find a new home which indicates teams were not entirely smitten with his abilities despite a career year in 2025. That’s an opening for Felton who is already familiar with Minnesota’s system and can prove to offensive coordinator Wes Phillips he deserves to get more targets.”
Vikings’ Tai Felton Could Use Major Trait for More Targets
Moreover, Bundy spotlights one specific trait that could allow for Felton to earn a prominent role in the offense even with Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings ahead of him on the depth chart.
“The 23-year-old is speedy — he ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at last year’s combine — which makes him an under-the-radar deep shot threat while guys like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are covered,” Bundy added. “If he can find those open spaces, he’ll get more opportunities from Murray.”
Despite likely being WR4 on the depth chart, Felton will need to be ready for his opportunity, whether it comes in the limited targets he might see or if injuries occur and the second-year wideout moves up the depth chart.
Kevin O’Connell Gets Blunt About Jauan Jennings’ Arrival
Nonetheless, with Jennings now in the fold, the Vikings solved their WR3 concern for this upcoming campaign. On May 8, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with the media and explained why Jennings made sense for them.
“When you’re one of the few players who might be single-covered in man-to-man coverage, you’ve got to be able to win,” O’Connell told reporters. “You’ve got to be able to make contested catches, and you’ve got to be able to do something with it after the catch. Jauan does all those things.
“I think Vikings fans are going to fall in love with watching this guy play football. Just the passion and the physicality that he plays with. You can tell I’m excited about it and can’t wait to get him here.”
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