The Other Vikings Receiver Who is (Probably) in the NFL’s Trade Conversations

Lately, Vikings receiver Jauan Jennings has seen his name mentioned a time or two in the NFL’s trade conversations. He’s a possible trade candidate

Do note, though, that Tai Felton is a sneaky name to watch. In fact, I’d argue that he’s more likely to be shipped out than Mr. Jennings.

The sophomore 3rd-Round talent has yet to solidify a role in the Twin Cities. Maybe the main way he contributes is on special teams, most notably as a gunner. Recent weeks, though, have seen other players (CB Zemaiah Vaughn, WR Jeshaun Jones) do great work on specials. Could Minnesota lean on one of those other options at gunner before then moving on from Mr. Felton?

Vikings Receiver Tai Felton a Possible Trade Candidate

Part of the rationale here is that GM Nolan Teasley isn’t the one who drafted the young receiver. As a result, there’s a greater chance of a move.

The 2025 NFL Draft wasn’t that long ago, folks. Presumably, there were other teams to have a pretty optimistic grade on Felton. Nobody is going to hand out a 3rd or 4th to pick him up, but there’s very likely to be a team or two that’s willing to see a late Day 3 selection (something in the 6th or 7th) get shipped out to bring in a tall, fast receiver.

At 5-0, the Vikings are more likely to be buyers than sellers. However, Teasley has noted that sometimes the effort is to sell to better allow for a buy later on.

Indeed, in his J.J. McCarthy trade presser, Teasley noted that picking up the 5th could be an asset that’s used in one of two ways. Most obvious, of course, is burning that 5th on a young fella coming out of college in the 2027 NFL Draft. But then there’s another possibility: using that new draft pick to bring someone in to help right now.

In like manner, a Felton move could follow a similar logic. Getting a 6th or a 7th isn’t a game-changing asset but it’s common currency for in-season trading. Don’t overlook the importance of a Day 3 selection at this time of the year.

So far in 2026, Tai Felton has been targeted 6 times. He’s sitting atop 3 catches for 41 yards, meaning he averages 13.7 yards per catch. In Minnesota’s ideal world, Felton will develop into a deep threat of a WR3 who sees his feisty approach to being a gunner apply to being a blocker. Hear me on this one: coaches love having a receiver who can block.

Does the current front office, though, think that Felton is going to get to that ceiling as an employee of the Minnesota Vikings?

If the Vikings do move on, then there’s ample in-house talent to fill his spot on the depth chart. Depth receivers Jeshaun Jones and Odell Beckham Jr. stand out, but the team did just bring in other receivers for a tryout. Neither the offense or the specials appear likely to take a large step back without Felton, so the calculus here is likely about depth and future potential.

Tai Felton, 23, is working from within the second season of his four-year rookie contract. His youth and pay make him an attractive option on the trade market.