With the 2024 NFL season officially complete and media attention beginning to shift into offseason mode with the NFL Draft just two months away, a trio of Terps were projected to hear their names called by Pro Football Network this week.
Wide receiver Tai Felton is the lone Terp projected to land on day two of the draft with the New Orleans Saints selecting him with the 40th overall pick in the second round. The Saints are expected to return QB Derek Carr and RB Alvin Kamara in 2025 while Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are expected to return from injury, giving the former Maryland star a potential speedster in their offense under Kellan Moore, who is expected to be named new head coach with the Super Bowl now complete.
“With long-term instability looming at WR for the Saints, Tai Felton gives New Orleans a venerable speed threat with RAC versatility,” PFN wrote.
The 33rd Team projected Felton to land in Buffalo with the 108th selection in the fourth round.
The Bills likely won't be bringing Amari Cooper back despite a midseason trade, so it'll be important to find a third weapon at receiver for Josh Allen this offseason. Keon Coleman brings the big-bodied physical receiver prototype, while Khalil Shakir is the top-tier slot who is consistent and reliable. A prospect like Tai Felton, coming into the league with legitimate speed and separation ability, could bring the offense some needed juice. Felton is a bit on the smaller end at 186 pounds, but he has the length and reliable hands combined with smooth route running and top-end play speed to be an ideal "Z" in this Buffalo offense.”
Wide receiver Kaden Prather was the first projected to land on day three of the draft with the Cleveland Browns selecting him with the 103rd overall pick in the fourth round. How the Browns will look in 2025 remains an unanswered question with the offseason still young as Deshaun Watson’s future remains uncertain, but the big-bodied wideout could add to a unit that may lose Elijah Moore to free agency. Prather also graded as the second-fastest offensive player during the Shine Bowl, clocking in at 20.5 miles per hour and 0.3 seconds slower than Nebraska WR Isaiah Neyor’s top speed.
Prather and Felton are on track to become the first and second wide receiver drafted since Mike Locksley took over as head coach.
Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips was the third Terp projected to hear his name called, coming off the board in the fifth round with the 168th overall selection with the Arizona Cardinals’ pick. Phillips would join former Maryland kicker Chad Ryland out west to help a Cardinals defense that finished 20th in the NFL in run defense.
While safety Dante Trader Jr. was omitted from the draft projections, he’s also the lone Terp ranked inside Mel Kiper’s positional rankings with the former two-year starter tabbed the 18th-best overall safety in the draft.
“Lacrosse player – high school and at Maryland as well. Only got second in tackles this year, third in tackles the year prior and second in tackles even back to 2022. Interceptions every year,” Kiper said on First Draft last week. “Two in 2022, two in 2023, one last year, breaking up passes and he's always around the ball and he doesn't miss open field tackles. Dante Trader Jr., pound-for-pound, was one of the best players in the Big Ten. And I think for Maryland, for the Terrapins, he was a guy that he screamed, ‘hey, look at me – why am I not getting more attention?’ And he's going to get it. There's no question he's going to get it in these months leading up to the draft. Based on people going back and watching him a lot closer from what they saw down there, and the fact that he's a multi-sport athlete. Another kid, he just loves the game. He's a competitor, and Dante Trader Jr. will have a nice career in the NFL. He's my ‘Orange Crusher’ because I just love his style of play because he shows up passionately to play this game and aggressively to play this game each and every week.”
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