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We are just over two weeks removed from the 2025 NFL Draft, which was a great few days for the Maryland football program.
The Terps had six players drafted, their most since 1986, when the draft was 333 selections over 12 rounds. Rookie minicamps have wrapped up across the NFL, and teams have gotten their first up-close looks at their rookies.
The first of those six selections was wide receiver Tai Felton, whom the Minnesota Vikings picked with the No. 102 overall pick in the third round, the last selection on Day Two. ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler recently put together his key intel on all 32 teams following the draft, including how Felton fits in Minnesota. He mentioned that left guard was the Vikings' only major hole, giving them the opportunity to take high-upside playmakers after.
Fowler wrote: "That left the Vikings in a position to take a few upside plays. Third-round receiver Tai Felton fits that mold. The Vikings had intimate knowledge of Felton coming out of Maryland's pro day, which Minnesota wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell helped run. McCardell was able to get an up-close view of Felton. Felton's 4.37-second 40 and near-40-inch vertical make him an intriguing target for Minnesota QB J.J. McCarthy, and for a receiver room that faces a few questions: Jordan Addison was arrested and charged with DUI last summer, which could result in an eventual suspension, and Jalen Nailor is a 2026 free agent."
The next Terp selected was linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, who went earlier than expected at No. 132 overall in the fourth round to the Chicago Bears. Hyppolite's eye-popping 4.39-second 40-yard dash at Maryland's Pro Day boosted his draft stock, and Chicago was clearly intrigued. In a recent ESPN roundtable, several NFL experts were asked numerous questions. One was, "Who was the biggest head-scratching pick of the draft?"
In response, ESPN fantasy football writer Eric Moody wrote: "Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II to the Bears (No. 132). This fourth-round selection was shocking because many analysts predicted Hyppolite could go undrafted. I thought this was a major reach in the middle rounds by general manager Ryan Poles." Hyppolite gave a great response.
The Miami Dolphins selected two Terps consecutively in the fifth round, taking defensive tackle Jordan Phillips at No. 143 overall and safety Dante Trader Jr. at No. 155.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Field Yates recently wrote about his impact draft picks who were selected after the first round. Phillips was one of them. Yates wrote: "Phillips was a wrestler and weightlifter in high school, and that shows up on his tape. He is one of the most physical run defenders in the rookie class and plays with excellent leverage. Miami landed Kenneth Grant with its first-round pick, but Phillips will also help the Dolphins become much more physical and tougher on the defensive front."
Fowler also had some positive intel on Trader in his aforementioned piece, writing: "Among Day 3 sleepers, Miami is confident that fifth-round safety Dante Trader Jr. will play early thanks to instincts and versatility."
Wide receiver Kaden Prather was the penultimate Terp selected, going No. 240 overall in the seventh round to the Buffalo Bills. Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle dove into his scouting report, including how he fits the team. He wrote: "Prather will have a shot to find a place on the practice squad and who knows where it goes from there. If he can play on special teams, that would help his cause, but it's rare when a seventh-round pick makes much of a dent."
And Sal Capaccio, a reporter at Bills minicamp, was impressed as well. He posted on X: "WR Kaden Prather had a great day. Really solid routes. Got open and made some impressive catches"
Defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote was the final Terp selected, going No. 247 overall in the seventh round to the Dallas Cowboys. A recent ESPN piece on the Dallas draft class by Todd Archer mentioned how Akingbesote and fellow defensive tackle draft pick Jay Toia "discussed the pleasure they receive in seeing others make plays because of the work they have done up front."
Time will tell just how big of an impact the six former Terps will make in the NFL. OTAs get underway later this month and mandatory minicamp starts in June.