Who Should I Start? Theo Johnson or Mason Taylor

Friday, December 6, 9:48 AM

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (foot) underwent a season-ending surgery to address the foot injury he suffered on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys. According to Art Stapleton, the issue was a fifth metatarsal fracture and not a Lisfranc injury. This means the rookie finishes his first season with 29 receptions for 331 yards and a touchdown on 43 targets through 12 appearances. There hasn't been a confirmed timetable for his return yet. That means Daniel Bellinger will be the starter to finish out the season.

Tuesday, April 29, 4:39 PM

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that rookie second-round tight end Mason Taylor will immediately walk into the Jets building at the top of the tight end depth chart going into his rookie season in 2025. Jeremy Ruckert projects as the No. 2, but he has yet to make an impact since the Jets drafted him in 2022. The Jets are at least hoping he can take a step forward as a blocker and contribute in the running game. The 20-year-old Taylor not only will be a starter immediately, but he could see plenty of targets from quarterback Justin Fields in his first year in the NFL, giving him TE1 fantasy upside in 2025. Outside of WR1 Garrett Wilson, the Jets don't exactly star-studded receiving depth in Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard and Arian Smith. Taylor will have intriguing rookie upside, but he'll still be better off drafted as a TE2 sleeper than a staple for those in single-TE leagues.