Mason Taylor getting compared to NFL legend should get Jets fans buzzing

The NY Jets started the 2025 NFL Draft strong by taking Missouri right tackle Armand Membou in the first round, and Darren Mougey managed to keep the good vibes going by selecting a new starting tight end in LSU's Mason Taylor with their second-round selection.

Taylor, the son of NFL Hall of Famer and former Jets pass rusher Jason Taylor, is coming into a tight end room that consists of the wholly disappointing Jeremy Ruckert and a free agent signing in Stone Smartt that is likely never going to be a good enough blocker to start consistently.

Taylor has some fans in the building and the media landscape as a whole. NFL analyst Brian Baldinger is already setting a very high standard for Taylor to meet, claiming that he reminds him of someone who is destined for the Hall of Fame.

"When you watch him run, there’s just not a lot of guys that are that big at 6-foot-5, 250 that are that smooth," Baldinger said, via The Official Jets Podcast. "Look, the production of Travis Kelce is off the charts, but he looks like Travis Kelce running." No pressure, Mason.

Brian Baldinger compres Jets rookie Mason Taylor to Travis Kelce

Taylor caught 55 passes for 546 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Tigers, flexing the smooth route-running, soft hands, and ability to make plays after the catch that has helped push him into such rarified air as a prospect.

Taylor's flaws stem from the fact there are some concerns about his ability to block NFL-level athletes. While he did reel in 129 catches in college, setting records for LSU tight ends along the way, he only found the end zone six times. How much of that was scheme, and how much was his own shortcomings?

The Jets seem to think their offense can be what takes Taylor from good to great. With Justin Fields having shown throughout the course of his career that he likes to target tight ends early and often in the passing game, he could be a solid quarterback for Taylor to get started with in his NFL journey.

Getting compared to Kelce might be too far on the optimistic side, but Baldinger is one of many who believe that Taylor is the type of tight end who could become the first high-end performer the Jets have had at this position since Dustin Keller. The receiving upside is undeniable.