Jets rookie Mason Taylor just earned an NSFW endorsement from one NFL coach

The hype train for Mason Taylor may not have fully left the station just yet, but at least one veteran NFL coach is already all aboard. The New York Jets' second-round pick is earning high praise from some around the league, including one anonymous veteran coach who didn't mince words when evaluating him.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealed an interesting quote from a veteran NFL offensive coach in a recent article. Said anyonymous coach called Taylor "f---ing awesome" before insisting that they had him ranked as their TE2 in this year's draft class behind only Colston Loveland.

That’s especially notable considering many Jets fans were clamoring for the team to draft Tyler Warren, who went No. 14 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. Instead, the Jets waited until pick No. 42 to land Taylor, a player who some evaluators clearly had ranked even higher.

Now, the 21-year-old LSU product enters training camp with real expectations and a legitimate opportunity to earn a starting job right out of the gate.

Jets have high expectatopns for Mason Taylor in 2025

Taylor steps into a tight end room that’s wide open for the taking. 2022 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert has struggled to establish himself as anything more than a depth piece. While he may enter camp as the de facto starter, his leash will expectedly be short.

Free-agent signing Stone Smartt brings receiving ability but projects more as an oversized wideout than a true in-line tight end. The converted college quarterback isn't likely to push Taylor for the starting job.

That’s why Taylor is already the favorite to start Week 1. Despite tight ends historically taking time to develop in the NFL, Taylor’s path to playing time is clear, not necessarily because he’s a sure thing, but because the alternatives are that uninspiring.

His resume offers hope. At LSU, Taylor became the most productive tight end in program history, setting records for career receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,308). That’s not insignificant, even if he never had a single 100-yard game in his college career.

More importantly, Taylor fits the mold of what new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is likely looking for at the tight end position. The Jets are expected to lean on more 12 personnel looks, much like the Lions did under Ben Johnson.

That places added value on tight ends who can contribute both as receivers and as in-line blockers, a role Taylor handled at LSU, where he played over half his snaps with his hand in the dirt in 2024.

Of course, there will be growing pains. Taylor is just 21 years old, and like most rookie tight ends, he’ll need time to adjust to the physicality and pace of the NFL.

But his athletic upside and natural pass-catching ability give him a real shot to become one of the most important pieces in this new-look Jets offense, and possibly one of the steals of the draft. Just ask that unnamed coach.

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