The Taylor family is staying in the AFC East.
The Jets selected LSU tight end Mason Taylor with the 42nd pick of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Miami Dolphins legend Jason Taylor and the nephew of fellow Hall of Famer and former Dolphin Zach Thomas is heading to a division rival that carried a glaring need at the position into the 2025 draft. While many projected Penn State's Tyler Warren or Michigan's Colston Loveland to land with the Jets at No. 7 overall, New York instead waited until Day 2 to add the next best player in a class that is remarkably deep at the position.
Though Mason's father was a longtime star for the rival Dolphins, he also played one season for the Jets in 2010, which stands as the last time Gang Green made the playoffs. Now, Mason will look to help them get back all these years later.
"I'm fired up," Taylor said following his selection, per the team website. "It's exciting, an unreal feeling. I'm kind of still shocked, but I'm excited to go to New York and give this team all I can give with my consistency and my hard work."
Taylor, who doesn't turn 21 until May, has been a steady riser through the draft process. He stepped into LSU's lineup as a freshman, starting 13 games and never relinquishing the job. Taylor caught 129 passes for 1,308 yards and six touchdowns over 38 games (37 starts). He also had a strong showing at the 2025 Senior Bowl.
"He could do it all," head coach Aaron Glenn said regarding his takeaways from Taylor's tape. "He can block, he can be a receiving threat. And it's knowing that his father's played in this league, being able to pour some of that wisdom on him."
Taylor is a smooth, natural receiver with terrific body control and soft hands. He's noted for his solid, steady production and reliability. Taylor never had more than 63 yards receiving in an SEC game but did put up a pair of 88-yard receiving efforts in his first two bowl games before sitting out the Texas Bowl prior to declaring early for the NFL draft.
Tight end is a slow-developing position, and Taylor hasn't yet reached his ceiling. There's some room to grow in the blocking department, and his lack of explosive plays is worth noting. But he should at the very least develop into a solid all-around tight end in the NFL with his natural feel for the game.
With Justin Fields preparing to take over under center, the Jets provided the still-young passer with a promising security blanket in Taylor, who has plenty of room to grow.
