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Eagles draft: LSU tight end Mason Taylor could intrigue the Birds after strong Senior Bowl practices

Taylor, the son of former NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, has been a standout for the American team. “I’m just trying to be that guy that can be consistent in all areas of the game," he said.

LSU tight end Mason Taylor (left) has been a standout for the American team at the Senior Bowl.
LSU tight end Mason Taylor (left) has been a standout for the American team at the Senior Bowl.Read moreJohn Raoux / AP

MOBILE, Ala. — In one of the best position groups at this year’s Senior Bowl, LSU tight end Mason Taylor has starred through the first two days of practice. Taylor, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, has NFL lineage throughout his family. He’s also the nephew of another former Miami Dolphin and Hall of Famer, Zach Thomas, and it’s clear the athleticism that runs in his family has translated to his playing career.

Taylor’s skill set was on display during the American team practice Wednesday, when he was matched up with Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman during wide receiver and defensive back one-on-ones. At the snap, Taylor attacked Bowman’s coverage leverage, used a stair-stack route running technique, and put Bowman on the turf as he broke free on a crossing route.

Taylor’s pass-catching prowess has been evident, but the Plantation, Fla., native is out to prove that he’s more than just a receiving tight end.

“I’m just trying to be that guy that can be consistent in all areas of the game, whether that’s in the run game, protection or receiving,” Taylor said after Wednesday’s Senior Bowl practice. “I feel like I could do everything for an offense and am just up for the challenge of anything that’s on my plate.”

As a junior this season, Taylor had his most productive season in the passing game and hauled in 55 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor is a smooth route runner who may not have downfield speed to blow you away but is a sure-handed receiver. The former four-star recruit who starred at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had just seven career drops on 181 targets, according to Pro Football Focus.

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Offensive tackles Josh Conerly and Emery Jones showcase their potential on Day 1 at the Senior Bowl

But what separates Taylor from other prospects in Mobile is his blocking ability. Though Taylor isn’t a George Kittle-level blocker just yet, his technique and 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame, according to Senior Bowl measurements, allow him to generate movement in run blocking scenarios.

“I think from like a complete tight end, sometimes your stats aren’t going to be so high because you’re doing everything for a team,” Taylor said. “You’re blocking in-line, you’re protecting when other people are running routes, and that’s what I love to do. Sometimes it won’t pad your stats so much, but that’s something I love to do. So coming out here and just showing all parts of my game is something very important for me.”

For the Eagles, addressing the future of their tight end room could be a priority this offseason. Starter Dallas Goedert is still playing at a high level but has missed 15 of 51 regular-season games over the last three seasons. Grant Calcaterra has filled in admirably, especially this season, but doesn’t offer the same receiving threat Goedert brings to the Eagles offense.

The Eagles haven’t drafted tight ends often, but as Goedert continues to age and miss games with various ailments, getting younger at the position would be key to the team’s longevity. Enter Taylor, a projected second-day draft pick who could be in the Eagles’ range when they pick at No. 63 or 64 overall in the second round. It’s worth noting that Zach Ertz and Goedert were second-round picks; the former replaced Brent Celek, and the latter succeeded Ertz.

Taylor says his father, Jason, was in attendance for the first Senior Bowl practice on Tuesday but is now back out on the road recruiting. Jason is Miami’s defensive line coach, but having his father’s support “shows a lot of respect and love from him.”

As the tight end looks to close out a strong week, his Tigers teammate, offensive lineman Miles Frazier, a Camden native, praised Taylor for being “a phenomenal blocker, and he can catch passes.”

» READ MORE: Eagles draft: Four players to target in the end of Round 1

Taylor believes the competition he faced in the SEC prepared him for the next level, along with the guidance of his father and his family. His NFL pedigree makes him a strong draft candidate at a position the Eagles draft infrequently.

“Just competing with the best of the best, that’s anywhere you go in the SEC, I feel like you’re competing with the best every single day at practice and every single weekend on Saturdays,” Taylor said. “So just doing that and coming out here and seeing those guys who you played against on Saturdays without helmets on, and just building relationships and friendships with them, it’s been awesome. [The Senior Bowl] has been an awesome experience.”