Jets 2025 NFL Draft: LSU TE Mason Taylor Scouting Report

The New York Jets can’t keep trotting out tight ends who are just bodies in the formation. Justin Fields will need an outlet over the middle. After Tyler Conklin left for the LA Chargers, the TE depth chart offers little outside of Stone Smartt and Jeremy Ruckert. It’s a bare room lacking explosiveness, consistency, and reliability.

LSU’s Mason Taylor offers a solution. A high-IQ pass catcher with Hall of Fame bloodlines, Taylor is a smooth, dependable target who understands spacing, works well against zone, and brings natural hands to the position. He’s not going to outrun defenders up the seam or bulldoze edge rushers in-line, but he’s one of the most consistent tight ends in the draft at getting open and moving the chains.

For a Jets offense expected to run a lot of play action and quick game concepts under Fields, Taylor fits as a chain-moving “F” tight end (or move tight end) who can win from the slot, H-back, or wing alignments. He isn’t flashy, but he’s functional—and that’s exactly what this offense needs.

LSU TE Mason Taylor 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Notes

Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 255 pounds
Recruiting: 2022 3-star, No. 492 national, No. 24 TE
Freshman All-SEC (2022), Third-Team All-SEC (2024)
Son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor
Set LSU’s single-season tight end record with 55 catches; only TE in school history with 100+ career receptions and 1,000+ receiving yards

Positives

Natural hands-catcher with elite reliability—only one drop in 2024
Highly intelligent against zone coverage; consistently finds open space
Fluid route-runner with the savvy to adjust tempo and sell breaks
Versatile alignment; can play in the slot, inline, or from the H-back position

Taylor’s best trait might be how quarterback-friendly he is. He knows how to sit in soft spots, widen defenders with his stems, and offer a big, steady target over the middle. For a team like the Jets, who will lean on timing and rhythm throws to get Fields in a groove, having a tight end who can cleanly catch passes and keep drives on schedule is invaluable.

His versatility also gives New York options. He’s capable of lining up all over the formation, allowing for disguised personnel packages and easy motion mismatches. Whether it’s short outs, flat routes, or quick seams, Taylor thrives in the intermediate range. His savvy route running and feel for coverage make him a player who can quickly earn trust from his quarterback.

Negatives

Struggles with play strength and pad level as an in-line blocker
Not a true mismatch in man coverage; lacks high-end burst or speed
Blocking technique is underdeveloped and inconsistent

Taylor won’t fix any Jets’ blocking issues at tight end, at least not right away. He’s more of a finesse player than a mauler, and that shows when he’s asked to block defensive ends or seal off the edge in the run game. His high pad level and average core strength make it easy for stronger defenders to walk him back or disengage. That’s a concern if the Jets want to use him in heavy personnel.

In terms of athletic profile, he’s also not a vertical threat who’s going to beat safeties one-on-one. While he can create separation with smarts and technique, his lack of twitch and second gear limits his upside against man coverage. He’ll need to refine his route tempo and play a step ahead to remain a reliable option on critical downs.

Mason Taylor NFL Player Comparison:

Primary Comp: Tucker Kraft
Alternative: Luke Schoonmaker
Floor Comp: Jared Wiley

Taylor’s closest pro comp is Tucker Kraft—both are high-floor tight ends who bring strong hands, functional athleticism, and the ability to work in multiple alignments. Like Kraft, Taylor isn’t going to break a defense, but he’s dependable and smooth in the short game, with the size to win tough catches in traffic.

Another comp is Luke Schoonmaker, especially in how they’re both more polished receivers than blockers at this stage. Neither is a dominant athlete, but both understand how to get open, execute their assignments, and make life easier for their quarterback.

Mason Taylor 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Mid 3rd

Taylor isn’t a game-breaking athlete, but he’s one of the most reliable and well-rounded tight ends in this class. For a Jets offense in desperate need of middle-of-the-field consistency and pass-game versatility, Taylor offers immediate value as a high-floor, high-IQ contributor.

His ability to produce early on passing downs (while developing into a more complete player) makes him a strong Day 2 pick with long-term TE2 upside and starting potential.