The New York Jets may have landed the steal of the draft — and not everyone saw it coming.
Following the departure of veteran tight end Tyler Conklin in free agency, the Jets’ tight end room looked bare — arguably the weakest unit on the roster. But after months of speculation and swirling draft rumors, New York made a bold move that’s now drawing rave reviews from inside the league.
With their second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jets selected LSU standout Mason Taylor, bypassing more talked-about names like Penn State’s Tyler Warren. The move was met with a mix of surprise and curiosity… until now.
One anonymous veteran NFL offensive coach isn’t just giving the Jets credit — he’s already issuing a glowing endorsement of Taylor’s talent.
“He’s (explicit) awesome. He was my No. 2 tight end [behind Colston Loveland]. He’s athletic, he’s young (21), and he’s got upside in the passing game,” the coach told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
From Baton Rouge to Broadway
Taylor, the former LSU Tiger, arrives in New York carrying serious upside. At LSU, he broke multiple tight end records, showcasing his ability as a dynamic receiving threat who thrives in space and excels after the catch.
While many analysts had him pegged as a Day 2 pick with developmental potential, the Jets clearly saw a player who could step in and contribute immediately — and it appears they weren’t alone in that belief.
The Jets chose Taylor with the 42nd overall pick, just behind Michigan’s Colston Loveland, who was widely regarded as the top tight end in the 2025 class and went to the Chicago Bears. But if you ask this anonymous coach? Taylor isn’t far behind — and may even prove to be a better fit in New York’s offense.
A Rising Star in the Jets’ Rebuilt Offense
The selection of Taylor becomes even more important when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture in New York. The Jets are trying to build a younger, more explosive offense, and adding Taylor alongside first-round lineman Armand Membou is a clear sign they’re committed to protecting and empowering their quarterback.
With a strong arm behind center and revamped weapons around him, the 21-year-old tight end will have every opportunity to shine — and early signs point to the Jets giving him a legitimate shot to start as TE1 from day one.
The Verdict: Hype or Home Run?
While anonymous quotes should always be taken with a grain of salt, this one isn’t coming from a scout or front-office suit — it’s from a veteran offensive coach who’s been around the league long enough to know what talent looks like.
That kind of endorsement isn’t handed out lightly. And if Mason Taylor lives up to the hype, the Jets may have not only filled their biggest offensive hole — they may have found a future Pro Bowler in the making.
All eyes will be on him come training camp. But one thing’s for sure: the buzz around Taylor is real, and it’s only getting louder.
