9 hours Ago By Mike Masala
On Thursday, the New York Jets used their first-round pick (No. 7 overall) on Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou to provide new quarterback Justin Fields with some protection. Entering Day 2, New York opted to find Fields a new weapon, as they used their second-round pick (No.
42 overall) to select LSU tight end Mason Taylor. Taylor, the son of the NFL Hall of Famer and former Jets defensive end Jason Taylor, played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before committing to LSU during his senior year.
Over the last three seasons, Taylor played in 38 games and caught 129 passes for 1,308 yards and six touchdowns. Pro Football Focus gave him a 67.8 overall grade for his performance in 2024 (55 receptions for 546 yards and two scores).
Entering the draft, the Jets were lacking tight end talent. With Tyler Conklin and Kenny Yeboah signing with the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions, respectively, New York was left with just Jeremy Rucket, Stone Smartt, Zack Kuntz and Neal Johnson. After the selection was announced, NFL draft experts rushed to share their opinion on the pick.
Here's what they had to say about Taylor landing with Gang Green. Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Jets draft grades for Mason Taylor RELATED: NFL Draft trades tracker 2025: Full details on every deal to move up, down in Rounds 1-3 Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A- "The Jets go for the son of Hall of Famer Jason, who also played for them in addition to the rival Dolphins. Taylor projects as a busy immediate starter to help Justin Fields in new Lions adjacent offense, with the potential of being their version of Sam LaPorta all over the field to support Garrett Wilson.
" Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports: A " Just like his father, Jason, Mason Taylor looks like he was built in a lab to be an NFL player. Taylor might not be as flashy or explosive as Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, but he should be a quality starting tight end in the NFL sooner rather than later. Taylor gives Justin Fields a reliable tight end target over the middle, something the Jets have been searching for for years.
" Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: A "Jason Taylor nearly ended his Hall of Fame career with the New York Jets. His son, Mason, will now begin his NFL career with Gang Green. The Jets are taking the right approach to building around new starting quarterback Justin Fields.
First, they finished their offensive line with the first-round selection of right tackle Armand Membou. Taylor now gives New York a legitimate threat at tight end, which it severely lacks, especially after Tyler Conklin left in free agency. Some prospects seem born to play in the NFL.
Taylor is one of them. Taylor flew under the radar to a degree as a 3-star high school recruit. He was never fully featured in LSU's offense, either.
Yet it's obvious how smooth the 20-year-old is and how well he's been coached with his route-running. He has immense upside as a weapon at tight end." Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: B+ "After taking Armand Membou over the top tight end options at No.
7, Gang Green circles back to the position to land a player one notch below Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren. Taylor can be an immediate asset to Justin Fields as a reliable target who can thrive operating in traffic." MORE JETS NEWS Watch 4 minutes of Jets draft pick Armand Membou mauling defenders in college Jets 2025 NFL draft grades: How the Armand Membou pick was viewed by experts Kyle Pitts blockbuster trade pitch sends Falcons tight end to lowly AFC team Aaron Rodgers details bizarre final meeting with Jets that left him frustrated.
