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Former LSU Tigers standout named as one of the most likely 2025 NFL Draft busts

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated May 6, 2025 11:41 AM ET

Sports Illustrated listed a former LSU Tigers standout this week as one of the top five most likely AFC draft busts.

LSU tight end Mason Taylor was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 42 overall pick (round two) of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame believes in Taylor's talent, but he's not sure the Jets are a great situation for the former Tiger.

From SI.com : There's no question about Taylor's talent, which is why some personnel evaluators believed he could be a first-round pick. The concern here is fit, as the Jets have a lackluster quarterback in Justin Fields and a first-time, defensive-minded coach in Aaron Glenn.

If Taylor doesn't get the proper development, he could struggle to reach his ceiling, which is potentially becoming a top-10 tight end in the league. The good news? He's going to be the starter barring a surprise in training camp, giving him valuable reps to increase his already high talent level.

Mason Taylor flipped the switch in 2024 pic.twitter.com/kmzf4Jd2Zk
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 17, 2025

Situation can often determine success in the NFL. And landing with the Jets, a franchise that hasn't reached the playoffs in 14 years (the longest drought across the NFL, NBA, NHL, WNBA, and MLB), isn't exactly an ideal situation for Taylor.

With a loss today at Miami, the Jets now have been eliminated from the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season, extending the longest active drought across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/Sxj0vpaXC0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2024

To be fair to the Jets, though, the franchise has a new head coach in Aaron Glenn, so maybe New York's fortune will change in 2025 (if anyone can turn the Jets around, it's Glenn). But based on what we've seen over the last 14 years, it feels more likely than not that Taylor will be on a roster that struggles to reach its offensive ceiling.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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