Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Size:
Height: 6051
Weight: 251
Arm: 32 ¼”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
Freshman All-SEC (2022)
“Mason Taylor is an athletic, well-rounded tight end prospect who can make impactful plays in the short, intermediate, and deep portions of the field in the passing game, while also giving valuable blocking reps in the run game.”
Strengths:
Natural hands-catcher
High football IQ
Alignment-versatile
Fluid mover/body control
Contested catches/catching in traffic
Concerns:
Creating separation
Vertical speed
Run blocking
Film Analysis:
Mason Taylor, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, has been an impactful player for the LSU Tigers since his freshman year. Taylor has a knack for making big plays in crucial moments—including game-winning catches—demonstrating his reliability as a target for quarterbacks. After a year of playing alongside first-round picks Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., Taylor took center stage for the Tigers' offense in 2024, posting career highs in receptions and yards.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Taylor is an alignment-versatile receiving tight end who excels at working the middle of the field and making himself available to the quarterback, proving to be a consistent and easy target. Taylor is a fluid mover who occasionally surprises defenders with his athleticism, paired with natural instincts for the tight end position.
From the snap, Taylor shows a strong understanding of defensive alignments and adjusts his route tempo and pacing accordingly. He can line up anywhere from an outside wide receiver position to the slot, H-back in the backfield, or as an in-line tight end. As a route-runner, Taylor performs exceptionally well against zone coverage, finding open spaces in the defense to make himself available to the quarterback. He is also aware of his role in the middle of the field, quickly turning his head to locate the ball in case of quarterback pressure. After the catch, Taylor accelerates to pick up extra yards and demonstrates good contact balance, allowing him to break arm tackles and gain additional yardage. His large frame enables him to overpower defensive backs and consistently position himself to fall forward.
Taylor excels in crowded areas, maintaining focus to make contested catches without always needing separation. However, there is room for improvement in creating separation from defenders. He tends to rely on his size and strong hands rather than consistently operating with urgency or precision in his routes, which can limit his effectiveness against high-level defenders with size and ball skills. These defenders can match Taylor's athleticism, contest catches, or force pass breakups (PBUs). Improving his route-running technique will enhance his ability to separate from defenders more consistently. Additionally, Taylor would benefit from increasing his overall strength, which would make him a more effective run blocker and better able to sustain critical blocks on the perimeter.
Overall, Taylor is a versatile tight end prospect who can fill multiple roles on offense. He projects as a key contributor, making plays in the passing game and providing consistent reliability week in and week out.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Alabama (2024), USC (2024), Ole Miss (2024), Florida (2024), Alabama (2023), Arkansas (2023), Ole Miss (2023), Missouri (2023)
