TE: Mason Taylor - NYJ

2024 Season Summary (College – LSU)

Career Overview

• Three-year starter at LSU (2022–2024)

• Games Played: 14 (2022), 12 (2023), 12 (2024)

• Career Totals: 129 receptions, 1,308 yards, 6 TDs — all LSU TE records

Yearly Production

• 2022: 38 rec, 414 yds, 3 TD

• 2023: 36 rec, 348 yds, 1 TD

• 2024: 55 rec, 546 yds, 2 TD (breakout year)

• 2024 Efficiency: ~45 yards/game, 98.7% catch rate (1 drop on 79 catchable targets)

• Separation Rate: 96th percentile among collegiate tight ends

• Red-Zone Profile: 14 red-zone receptions, 5 red-zone TDs (of 6 total)

Athletic Profile

• Height/Weight: 6'5", 251 lbs

• 40-yard dash: 4.65–4.68 range

• Bench Press: 28 reps

• RAS: 8.88

• Blocking: 93 pass-pro reps, top-5 pressure rate allowed among Power Five TEs

2025 Fantasy Outlook

Role & Opportunity

• Drafted in the 2nd round (#42 overall) by the Jets

• Tyler Conklin departed, opening up TE1 role

• Competing with Jeremy Ruckert, Zack Kuntz, and Trey Smartt — none have proven receiving production

• OC Tanner Engstrand has a TE development track record (T.J. Hockenson, Sam LaPorta)

Strengths

1. Elite hands and reliability (1 drop in 2024 on 79 catchable balls)

2. High-end athleticism for a TE — offers both seam-stretching and short-yardage reliability

3. Blocking ability gives him a path to three-down usage early

4. Clear opportunity to become the Jets' full-time TE1 from Day 1

Risks

• Rookie learning curve in route timing, NFL coverages, and chemistry with QB

• Offense features Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, limiting top-end target ceiling

• Justin Fields' mobility could reduce passing volume and limit consistency

Headliner Take

Mason Taylor is one of the most intriguing rookie tight ends entering 2025. His elite hands, breakout college production, and rare separation ability give him a strong foundation to succeed immediately. Add in a vacant TE depth chart and an OC who knows how to utilize the position, and you have all the ingredients for a legitimate breakout.

But here’s the problem — he plays for the Jets. Fantasy players know how brutal this offense has been to rely on over the past few years. You can’t start 2025 with Taylor as your TE1, but if you're looking for a high-upside stash late in drafts, he’s one of the best TE dart throws on the board.