Aaron Glenn points to second-year player as Jets' 2026 breakout candidate

The New York Jets 2025 draft class was a mixed bag, including one massive hit in the first round of offensive tackle Armand Membou and a couple of misses in the later rounds, like wide receiver Arian Smith and edge Tyler Baron.

Some players were tough to evaluate, like tight end Mason Taylor, who had a decent showing throughout his rookie year. He ended up leading the Jets in receptions, hauling in 44 balls for 369 yards and one touchdown.

It was tough to evaluate him on a week-to-week basis, considering how bad the Jets' offense was and the abysmal quarterback play they saw from Justin Fields. Heck, Taylor's lone touchdown reception was the receiving end of a pass from running back Breece Hall.

But things are going to be different in 2026. The Jets have more adults in the room, and a grown-up under center in Geno Smith, and Aaron Glenn thinks Taylor is primed for a breakout heading into his sophomore season in the NFL.

Aaron Glenn says Jets TE Mason Taylor will have 'a hell of a year'

At the league owners' meetings, Glenn was asked by reporters who he thinks will take a leap in 2026, and the head coach responded with his second-year tight end.

"I think Mason is going to have a hell of a year," Glenn said, via The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. Clearly, the head coach has a lot of faith in the former 42nd overall pick and has high hopes for him in new offensive coordinator Frank Reich's scheme.

It feels important to note that Taylor was only 21 last year, a relatively young age for any first-year NFL player. With a year of NFL experience under his belt, he'll only continue to grow.

The Jets don't have much else proven talent in their tight end room. Jeremy Ruckert was recently extended by the team, but he's better suited as a blocker and situational pass catcher. Jelani Woods is a physical specimen at 6-foot-7, but he hasn't really been able to put it all together throughout his NFL career.

Taylor has a prime opportunity in front of him, featured as the lead tight end in New York. Considering the Jets' lack of other pass-catching options, he may prove to be an incredibly important piece to the offense in 2026, and certainly can break out if he's ready for it.