The New York Jets added a special player with their second-round pick Friday night, according to one of the greatest coaches in college football history.
Appearing on ESPN’s NFL draft coverage, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban praised Darren Mougey’s decision to select LSU tight end Mason Taylor with the No. 42 overall pick.
Not only did he call Taylor an “outstanding player,” 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 “the biggest recruiting mistake we ever made” during his time at Alabama.
A three-star recruit from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Taylor initially committed to LSU, where he spent all three collegiate seasons.
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.
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.
“His best work comes as a receiver. He is smoother than he is explosive and twitchy out of his stance,” wrote PFF’s Trevor Sikkema of Taylor. “He has some nuance to his route running but lacks difference-making agility and flexibility for a full route tree (effective as a vertical receiver).
“His separation scores are good versus zone but land in just the 29th percentile against single coverage over the last two years,” he continued. “He also didn’t give much ROI after the catch from a dynamic “make guys miss” standpoint.”
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.
Given the lack of depth at the position, Mason Taylor has a prime opportunity to make an immediate impact for the New York Jets.
