Mason Taylor TE LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Mason Taylor TE LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Inline Receiving TE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/24/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.64 seconds (82%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.9 DOB: 05/08/2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Inline Receiving TE | |
| Last Updated: 02/24/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.64 seconds (82%*) | |
| Age: 20.9 DOB: 05/08/2004 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 84.5 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 92.8 | |
| Hands: |
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91% |
| Short Receiving: |
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81% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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84% |
| Deep Threat: |
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80% |
| Blocking: |
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66% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#82
Position rank:
#6
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| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 2330 | ||
ESPN RATING: 77/100
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247 RATING: 86/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cade Stover - Ohio State |
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91% |
| Luke Schoonmaker - Michigan |
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89% |
| Jared Wiley - TCU |
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88% |
Draft Profile: Bio
The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor and nephew of linebacker Zach Thomas, Mason carved his own legacy at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in South Florida before taking his talents to Death Valley. His journey began with a modest three-star rating from most recruiting services, but Taylor quickly proved the evaluators had underestimated his ceiling.At LSU, Taylor rewrote the tight end record books, becoming the first player at his position to eclipse both 100 receptions and 1,000 yards in program history. His dominant 2024 campaign saw him haul in 55 catches for 546 yards and 2 touchdowns, setting a new single-season reception record for LSU tight ends. Taylor's consistency was remarkable – he caught at least three passes in every game during his final year, including a career-best 8 receptions for 77 yards against UCLA. His sophomore campaign showed steady progression, but it was his junior season where Taylor truly emerged as a focal point of the Tigers' offense, with 37 of his 55 receptions moving the chains for first downs.
Perhaps no moment better encapsulated Taylor's clutch gene than his iconic two-point conversion grab in overtime to upset Alabama in 2022. That season, he earned Freshman All-SEC honors while establishing himself as a key cog in LSU's passing attack. After three productive seasons and 129 receptions for 1,308 yards, Taylor opted to follow in his father's footsteps and declare for the NFL Draft.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Natural hands catcher who plucks the ball away from his frame with consistent technique - showcased this repeatedly against SEC competition
- Outstanding spatial awareness against zone coverage, consistently finding soft spots and adjusting routes based on defensive leverage
- Fluid athlete who changes direction seamlessly - demonstrated particularly well on option routes and seam patterns
- Reliable target in clutch situations - see game-winning conversion vs Alabama and crucial fourth down catch against Ole Miss
- Creates chunk plays after the catch, showing natural runner's vision - generated over 700 career yards after reception
- Advanced route stem technique helps create separation - effectively uses head fakes and tempo changes to manipulate defenders
- Excellent ball tracking skills on vertical routes - consistently adjusts to throws while maintaining speed
- Shows veteran savvy working against zone coverage, particularly finding voids between hook/curl defenders
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Struggles to anchor against power rushers - gets walked back into the pocket when trying to pass protect
- Needs significant technical refinement as a run blocker - plays too high and gets overwhelmed at point of attack
- Limited experience as an in-line tight end - primarily operated from slot or wing alignments
- Must develop more sophisticated route-running tempo to avoid telegraphing breaks against NFL defensive backs
- Doesn't show the explosive burst needed to consistently separate from athletic NFL safeties in man coverage
Scouting Report: Summary
Taylor has the tools to carve out an early role in the passing game, particularly working against zone coverage from the slot. His consistent production against SEC competition wasn't just about scheme - watch how he manipulates defenders with subtle head fakes and tempo changes through his stems. While he's not going to consistently separate from NFL safeties in man coverage, his intelligence and route-running craft more than make up for average athleticism. That clutch two-point grab against Alabama showcased his ability to deliver in tight windows under pressure.The concerns about Taylor's blocking show up repeatedly on tape, particularly when asked to handle defensive ends one-on-one. His high pad level and technical flaws limit his effectiveness at the point of attack, often getting driven back into the backfield against power rushers. Yet his work from the slot and wing positions hints at untapped potential - he shows natural feel for angles and timing when blocking in space. Smart coordinators will need to protect him early in his career, using him primarily in passing situations while his blocking technique catches up to his receiving skills.
Taylor profiles as a complementary piece in an NFL passing game who can develop into more with time and coaching. His reliable hands and keen understanding of defensive structures will earn quarterback trust quickly, especially on crucial third downs. The ceiling might not be sky-high, but his floor as a moveable chess piece in the passing game gives him immediate value. Give him two years to add play strength and refine his blocking technique, and you're looking at a solid contributor who can handle an expanded role in multiple personnel packages.
Written By:
Bill Miller (SEC)
Mason Taylor percentiles vs other Tight Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Mason Taylor (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
63.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
4.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.