Everything you need to know about NY Jets rookie TE Mason Taylor

The New York Jets were in desperate need of a tight end heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. As a result, many believed they were a likely player in the Tyler Warren market

They didn't walk away with Warren, the presumptive No. 1 tight end prospect out of Penn State. However, they did fill their need at that position, as with the 42nd overall pick, they landed LSU's Mason Taylor, which many are calling one of the steals of the draft.

This was the second consecutive pick designed to help out new quarterback Justin Fields, following the first-round selection of Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou. In the hopes that Taylor will be in New York for years to come, we take a deep dive into all you need to know about the Jets' new tight end.

Pro Genes from Day 1

If the name Taylor sounds familiar, it's not just because it’s common — it’s because Mason is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Jet Jason Taylor.

Jason Taylor spent only one season with the Jets, but it was a memorable one. Fifteen years after he helped open MetLife Stadium in its inaugural season, his son will now call the same venue home.

It's not only a cool story that his father played for the team, but it’s also a potential indicator that Taylor has the genetic makeup that leads pros to be successful. 

While having an NFL bloodline doesn’t guarantee success, it can’t hurt. Taylor grew up in professional locker rooms and understands the level of work and discipline required at this level.

That might not ultimately matter. But if you’re choosing between two prospects, it’s never a bad thing when one of them has Jason Taylor in their corner.

Returning to New York

Since his dad played for the Jets, Mason Taylor naturally spent time living in the area. But instead of settling in the quieter suburbs of northern New Jersey, where the Jets practice and most players live, the Taylor family made their home in the heart of New York City, right on Broadway, fittingly enough.

It’s no surprise Jason Taylor embraced the energy of the city that never sleeps, especially considering how fondly he still speaks of his time there. Though his Jets stint lasted just one season, it left a lasting impression on the entire family.

"It's a dream come true for my son to play in the NFL and kind of walk in the shoes that I was so blessed to walk in... and in the greatest city on the planet... that year we spent in New York was amazing... Those memories are our memories forever."

Jason Taylor

Mason recalls tackling his brother on the grass in Central Park, forming some of his earliest memories during that brief but meaningful chapter. Now, 15 years later, he returns to where it all began, ready to write his own story in the same city.

Successor to High School Legends and College Dominance

Taylor enters the NFL as the latest standout from the storied St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida, a powerhouse that’s produced NFL stars like Giovani Bernard, Asante Samuel Jr., the Bosa brothers, and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.

That list also includes a name Jets fans know all too well — Elijah Moore.

After graduating, Taylor traded one elite football program for another, committing to LSU, where he became a three-year starter for the Tigers. He wrapped up his college career with 129 catches for 1,308 yards, showcasing reliable hands and proving himself as an asset in the run game as a blocker.

At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, with the speed and tools to be a legitimate receiving threat, Taylor emerged as one of the top tight ends in the country and was ranked among Daniel Jeremiah’s top 30 prospects before the draft. He ended up being the third tight end selected overall.

Where Mason Taylor Fits Moving Forward

Taylor now brings his elite football pedigree and physical traits to the NFL, and he’s walking into an ideal situation when it comes to immediate playing time.

This wasn’t just a long-term play for the Jets. It was a pick made out of necessity. Without Taylor, the Jets were staring down a tight end rotation of Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, and Zack Kuntz, a group with plenty of question marks.

Ruckert has enough experience to make things interesting, but at best, it should be a split in snaps. If Taylor becomes the player many believe he can be, he’ll be a crucial part of the offense from Day 1.

Justin Fields has never been confused for the most accurate passer in the league. He thrives by extending plays with his legs, but that only works with big, reliable targets, and Taylor fits the bill.

Fields will benefit from every inch of Taylor’s 6-foot-6 wingspan and 32-inch vertical. As a security blanket and check-down option, he’s the perfect safety valve when plays break down. It’s a major win for Fields.

The real beauty of this pick, though, is that it serves both the present and the future. Taylor is just 20 years old. If he reaches his potential, the Jets may have locked down their tight end of the future for the rest of the decade, and maybe longer.

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