2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Mason Taylor has etched himself into LSU history, becoming the school’s all-time tight end receiving leader.
The consistent pass-catcher, son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor and nephew to Hall of Famer Zach Thomas, made a splash his freshman year. Becoming second all-time in a season for tight ends at LSU with 38 catches for 414 yards in his freshman season, Taylor has been the definition of consistency his entire college career.
Taylor has earned freshman All-SEC honors, as well as earning his way onto two SEC Academic Honor Rolls. Taylor can be defined by one word throughout his college career: clutch. Always being there as a safety net to Heisman winner Jayden Daniels or to current star Quarterback Nussmeier, Taylor caught the two-point conversion against Alabama in 2022 to win the game, and has had numerous explosive plays to keep the Tigers in many matchups.
As a 3-star tight end from Florida, Taylor made a distinct name for himself separate from his Hall of Fame family. Although he did not have many offers, Taylor had ones that mattered, such as LSU and Alabama. After enrolling at LSU, Taylor quickly grew to form, putting on 20 lbs during his first college offseason. Now a staple of the Tigers offense, Mason Taylor continues to shows flashes as a future touchdown machine in the NFL.
Player Info
Name: Mason Taylor
Jersey: No. 86
Position: Tight End
School: LSU
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 256 lbs.
Mason Taylor’s Strengths
Mason Taylor excels as a pass-catching tight end. At 6-foot-5 he is an absolute mismatch for opposing defensive backs and really controls the middle of the field as a type of safety net for his quarterback.
Taylor can really develop into a red zone nightmare for defenses in the NFL as he continues to grow as an athlete with great size and hands.
Where Taylor really makes a name for himself is his YAC ability, gaining yards at whatever the cost. A simple missed tackle could have Taylor reaching for pylons within seconds.
As a pass-catcher, Taylor consistently finds the open spots in the defense, almost forcing safety help any time he goes out for a pass.
Mason Taylor’s Weaknesses
As a tight end, depending on the scheme, Taylor could be put into blocking assignments that don’t exactly match up with his strengths.
Taylor has shown his ability to move into downfield blocking in the run game or on screens, but his pass blocking needs work as he is beaten in one-on-one matchups quite often.
He has not needed to block much with a top offensive line at LSU, but NFL scouts may look the other way if he can not step up against opposing edge rushers when needed.
Taylor needs to continue to develop his route running as most of his ability to get open comes from holes in the defense and exploiting them rather than pure athletic ability.
Draft Projection
Mason Taylor is currently projected as a Day 3 draft choice, more specifically the 6th or 7th round. However, I believe in the right system Taylor could excel as a pass-catching phenom such as Brock Bowers or Trey McBride. For this I have him ranked even higher.
Draft Projection: 5th Round
Team Fits: Commanders, Dolphins, Rams
Conclusion and Comparison
Overall, Mason Taylor is still a young prospect who could develop into a highly touted starter in the league and a mismatch for opposing defenses. However, without blinding speed or consistent blocking, Taylor could see his stock fall in the draft. As Taylor continues to develop as an athlete and excite fans at LSU, his school records will seemingly be set for many years.
Player Comparison: Mike Gesicki, TE, Bengals
