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At rookie minicamp, Mason Taylor was as advertised.
“He has dynamic movements,” said Jets coach Aaron Glenn. “He can really catch the ball. He did a good job catching the ball away from his body. He’s quick to bring it in and get north and south exactly like we want, which we call knifing them.”
He is a smooth operator out there.
“Taylor is a big, athletic tight end with excellent quickness,” said NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah before the draft. “He is a smooth mover.”
Just watching him on the practice field, he moves very well for a 6-5, 250-pounder, like an NBA small forward. He looks like he could be a big-time NFL tight end.
Jeremiah loves this prospect and had him as his 29th-ranked player in his rankings on April 21.
The Jets got him at 42.
“He’s polished as a route runner, showing the ability to set up defenders, lean into them and then create separation,” Jeremiah wrote. “He has a big catch radius, hauling in balls above his head as well as below his knees. He is a pure hands-catcher, keeping the ball away from his body.”
Just because he was picked in the second round, don’t think for one second he can’t be one of the NFL’s best in time.
Think of some of the NFL’s top veteran tight ends now. Kansas City’s Travis Kelce went in the third round and San Francisco’s George Kittle went in the fifth round. Arizona’s Trey McBride and Detroit’s Sam LaPorta both went in the second round.
Not only does he have the physical skill set to excel, but also he’s wired the right way, getting raised for his moment by two Pro Football Hall of Fame players, his father, former NFL defensive end Jason Taylor, and uncle, former NFL linebacker Zach Thomas.
Mason Taylor gets it, and is wise beyond his 21 years.
“Just [work on] the fundamentals, the little things” Taylor said. “And that’s what really what it is and what separates blockers in the NFL. It’s a little thing. So it’s your footwork, basic footwork, your hand placement is big, (also) pad level. So that’s really it. And critiquing those and making sure you’re consistent in those areas. That’s all blocking is. So being consistent in those areas when things are flying around, it’s something I definitely want to work on this summer for sure.”
I’m not putting him in Canton just yet, but this guy has the potential to be a special player.
May 13, 2025
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