{"id":4664,"date":"2025-04-27T16:15:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T16:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/4664\/"},"modified":"2025-04-27T16:15:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T16:15:11","slug":"ny-jets-te-mason-taylor-receives-high-praise-from-nick-saban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/4664\/","title":{"rendered":"NY Jets TE Mason Taylor receives high praise from Nick Saban"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Jets added a special player with their second-round pick<\/a> Friday night, according to one of the greatest coaches in college football history.<\/p>\n

Appearing on ESPN\u2019s NFL draft coverage, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban praised<\/a> Darren Mougey\u2019s decision to select LSU tight end Mason Taylor with the No. 42 overall pick. <\/p>\n

Not only did he call Taylor an \u201coutstanding player,\u201d but he also revealed regret regarding not landing the Florida native in the recruiting process. The greatest college football coach of all time called it \u201cthe biggest recruiting mistake we ever made\u201d during his time at Alabama.<\/p>\n

Nick Saban says not landing new Jets TE Mason Taylor was “the biggest recruiting mistake we ever made” during his time at Alabama.<\/p>\n

“This guy is an outstanding player.”<\/p>\n

High praise.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

A three-star recruit from St. Thomas Aquinas High School\u00a0in\u00a0Fort Lauderdale, FL, Taylor initially committed to LSU, where he spent all three collegiate seasons.<\/p>\n

Appearing in 38 games for the Tigers throughout his three seasons in Baton Rouge, the former three-star recruit totaled 129 receptions for 1,308 yards and six touchdowns. His most productive season came in 2024, when he appeared in 12 games and recorded 546 yards and two touchdowns across 55 receptions.<\/p>\n

Known for his pass-catching ability, the 20-year-old Taylor has a well-built frame for an NFL tight end at 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds. He has the size and experience to play both inline and in the slot. He also boasts a large catch radius and is a skilled route runner.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis best work comes as a receiver. He is smoother than he is explosive and twitchy out of his stance,\u201d wrote PFF\u2019s Trevor Sikkema<\/a> of Taylor. \u201cHe has some nuance to his route running but lacks difference-making agility and flexibility for a full route tree (effective as a vertical receiver).<\/p>\n

\u201cHis separation scores are good versus zone but land in just the 29th percentile against single coverage over the last two years,\u201d he continued. \u201cHe also didn\u2019t give much ROI after the catch from a dynamic \u201cmake guys miss\u201d standpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taylor joins a thin tight end group in New York that includes Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, Neal Johnson, and Zack Kuntz. This unit has combined for fewer than 650 receiving yards over the past three seasons.<\/p>\n

Given the lack of depth at the position, Mason Taylor has a prime opportunity to make an immediate impact for the New York Jets.<\/p>\n