2025 Rookie Profile: Mason Taylor
2025 Rookie Profile: Mason Taylor (TE) LSU Welcome to the 2025 fantasy football season. FullTime Fantasy‘s annual rookie reports next present 2025 Rookie Profile: Mason Taylor, the standout tight end for the LSU Tigers. College Resume Mason Taylor, a three-year starter at LSU, emerged as one of the most productive tight ends in the program’s history. The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, he showcased a high football IQ and versatility, splitting time between in-line and slot alignments. A 2022 Freshman All-SEC selection and 2024 Third-Team All-SEC honoree, Taylor set LSU tight end records with 129 career receptions and 1,308 receiving yards, becoming the first LSU tight end to surpass 100 receptions and 1,000 yards. He caught at least one pass in 28 straight games to close his college career and was named a 2025 Senior Bowl participant. His clutch performance, including a game-winning two-point conversion against Alabama in 2022, highlighted his reliability in high-pressure situations. College Stats (2022-2024) 2022 (Freshman): 38 receptions, 414 yards, 3 TD 2023 (Sophomore): 36 receptions, 348 yards, 1 TD 2024 (Junior): 55 receptions, 546 yards, 2 TD Career Totals: 129 receptions, 1,308 yards, 6 TD Notable: 72 of 129 receptions (56%) resulted in first downs; 701 yards came after the catch (YAC). In 2024, he had a 1.8% drop rate and split snaps: 45.1% in-line, 44.6% slot, 9.0% wide. Measurables (Pro Day) Height: 6’5” Weight: 246 lbs (down from 251 lbs) 40-Yard Dash: 4.64-4.66 seconds Short Shuttle: 4.43 seconds 3-Cone Drill: 7.07 seconds Bench Press: 28 reps Hand Size: 9⅞” Arm Length: 32⅞” Wingspan: 78¼” Scouting Profile Strengths Taylor is a chain-moving pass-catcher with reliable hands and sharp route-running instincts, particularly against zone coverage. His 68% conversion rate for first downs underscores his ability to keep drives alive. He manipulates defenders with subtle head fakes and tempo changes, displaying a nuanced understanding of spacing. His versatility—splitting time nearly 50/50 between in-line and slot roles—makes him a scheme-fit for modern NFL offenses. Taylor’s contested-catch ability and low drop rate (1.8% in 2024) highlight his dependability, while his 701 YAC yards show he’s a threat after the catch. As a blocker, he’s more effective in space, using angles and timing to seal defenders, and he’s shown growth as a downfield receiver. Weaknesses Taylor’s blocking in-line needs refinement. His high pad level and technical flaws often lead to him being driven back by power rushers, limiting his effectiveness against defensive ends in one-on-one situations. He’s not an elite athlete, with average speed (4.65 forty) that may struggle to separate against NFL safeties in man coverage. His 6 TD in 38 games suggest he’s not a primary red-zone threat, and his play strength requires further development to handle the physicality of NFL defenses. NFL Fit The New York Jets, with a glaring need at tight end, view Taylor as a potential Day 2 steal in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Jets’ current tight end group—Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, and Zack Kuntz—lacks a reliable receiving threat, and Taylor’s skill set aligns perfectly with their offensive needs under quarterback Justin Fields. In a play-action-heavy scheme that emphasizes quick-game concepts, Taylor projects as a “U” or “F” tight end (move tight end), capable of winning from the slot, H-back, or wing alignments. His high-IQ route-running and soft hands make him an ideal chain-mover, complementing Fields’ ability to target the middle of the field. Taylor’s versatility allows the Jets to deploy him in 12-personnel packages alongside Ruckert, creating mismatches against linebackers and safeties. His ability to chip or check-and-release in pass protection (17% of snaps at LSU) fits the Jets’ need for a tight end who can contribute in both the passing and running game. While not a dominant blocker, his willingness to engage and functional space-blocking skills support the Jets’ ground game, particularly in outside zone schemes. Fantasy Football Outlook For fantasy purposes, Taylor’s immediate value lies in his receiving upside, projecting as a TE2. His 55-catch, 546-yard season in 2024 suggests he can handle a significant workload, and landing with the Jets—a team desperate for a pass-catching tight end—boosts his early-career outlook. In redraft leagues, he’s a late-round flier in deep formats. In dynasty leagues, he’s a second-round rookie pick due to his youth (20 years old) and long-term starter potential. His fantasy production hinges on the Jets’ offensive scheme maximizing his role as a safety valve for Fields, though his limited touchdown production (6 TD in college) tempers expectations for scoring. Projection: Taylor is a high-floor, developmental starter with the tools to become a top-10 NFL tight end by Year 3. For the Jets, he’s an immediate upgrade as a pass-catching TE2 with the potential to grow into a three-down role as his blocking improves. His fit in New York’s offense makes him a seamless addition, capable of 40-50 receptions as a rookie if given ample targets. Other Rookie Profiles Ashton Jeanty Tetairoa McMillian Omarion Hampton Tyler Warren Cam Ward Matthew Golden Shedeur Sanders TreVeyon Henderson Travis Hunter Luther Burden III Quinshon Judkins Colston Loveland Emeka Egbuka Kaleb Johnson Cam Skattebo The 2025 NFL season is underway, but it’s not too late to get access to the best help! 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