Mason Taylor: Everything you need to know

Taylor will face increased competition for targets and playing time at tight end, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports that the Jets drafted Kenyon Sadiq 16th overall Thursday. Sadiq has more upside as a pass catcher than Taylor, as the rookie first-round pick had 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns at Oregon in 2025 and set a position record with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. That being said, Cimini believes Taylor will still get plenty of playing time, with the Jets likely to use a lot of formations featuring multiple tight ends. Taylor caught 44 of 65 targets for 369 yards and one touchdown as a rookie after being selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn named Taylor (neck) when asked Monday which players he anticipates taking a step forward in 2026, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports. Taylor missed the final four games of last season due to a neck injury, but there have been no indications that he will be hampered in OTAs. Across 13 regular-season appearances during his rookie campaign, Taylor secured 44 of 65 targets for 369 yards and one touchdown, solid totals considering the struggles of New York's aerial attack, which averaged a league-worst 140.3 passing yards per game. The arrival of Geno Smith should provide stability on that front, and Taylor is currently positioned as one of the new QB's top targets along with Breece Hall (knee), Garrett Wilson (knee) and Adonai Mitchell.

The Jets placed Taylor (neck) on injured reserve Saturday. Taylor was already ruled out for Week 18 against the Bills, but the move corresponds with other moves the Jets made ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale. The rookie second-rounder ended up missing the final four games of the regular season due to a neck injury, but he should be healthy for the start of the 2026 campaign. Taylor will finish his first NFL season with 44 catches (on 65 targets) for 369 yards and one touchdown across 13 games.