Context:

Mason Taylor, a rookie tight end for the New York Jets and son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, openly acknowledges the high expectations accompanying his famous last name. Despite the pressure, he embraces the legacy and expresses admiration for both his father and uncle, Zach Thomas, another Hall of Fame player. Drafted in the second round from LSU, Taylor is determined to carve out his own legacy, aiming to contribute significantly to the Jets' offense alongside new quarterback Justin Fields. Social media has highlighted his connection to the Jets, with childhood photos of him in a team jersey surfacing. Taylor's talent and potential make him a promising addition to the team, and he is anticipated to deliver strong performances under the weight of his family's legacy.

Dive Deeper:

• Mason Taylor, drafted as a second-round pick from LSU, is the son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor and nephew of Zach Thomas, both of whom have set high expectations for him due to their illustrious NFL careers.

• Despite the constant references to his father's legacy, Taylor embraces his family name and draws inspiration from his father's and uncle's playing styles, aiming to model his game after theirs.

• His childhood connection to the New York Jets is illustrated by a photo in a Mark Sanchez jersey, indicating a long-standing affinity with the team he now plays for professionally.

• Taylor was considered just outside the top tier of tight ends in the draft, yet his exceptional talent and potential to enhance the Jets' offense are widely acknowledged.

• With his unconventional rookie minicamp number 46, Mason Taylor is expected to change it before the season starts, but his focus remains on making a significant impact on the field.

• The arrival of Justin Fields as the new quarterback for the Jets is expected to complement Taylor's abilities, and the team's management and fans are eager to see his performance.

• Mason Taylor's readiness to establish his own identity while honoring his family's legacy makes him a key figure to watch in the upcoming NFL season.

• Mason Taylor's name is literally just one letter different.

• Take that 'M' and replace it with a 'J' and you get his Hall of Fame father, Jason Taylor. He's someone that Mason, the Jets rookie tight end, has had to follow in the footsteps of his whole life.

• Taylor, a second-round pick from LSU, understands the pressures that come with the name.

• “There’s high expectations, for sure, just because of the last name,” Taylor said, via the Associated Press. “But I mean, when people say, like, ‘Oh, let him have his shine,’ you know, ‘Stop saying his dad’s name,’ I mean, I love it. We’re family.”

• Taylor is also the nephew of Hall of Famer, Zach Thomas.

• "I love modeling my game after theirs," Taylor said of the two Dolphins legends.

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• Jason Taylor did play the 2010 season for the Jets after a lengthy career in Miami.

• A picture even surfaced on social media of Mason Taylor in a Mark Sanchez Jets jersey from a childhood birthday party.

• Taylor, who was considered just off the top-tier of tight ends (Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland) in the draft, is ready to make his mark for his own name and for his family name.

• He looks a little odd out there at rookie minicamp, given the No. 46, one that likely won't stick by the time the season rolls around.

• But he's uber-talented and should add a new dimension to the Jets' offense with new quarterback Justin Fields at the reins.

• New York will gladly welcome a Dolphins legend's son as long as he performs, and Mason Taylor surely will perform.

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