It’s been an interesting start to the year for the New York Jets. They’re off to a respectable 2-3 start with the defense firing on all cylinders, but the offense is dragging behind. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq has been a bright spot, but his status for Week 6 is in jeopardy due to a concussion. If Sadiq is ruled out for their matchup with the Patriots, Mason Taylor will step into the TE1 role. Is that enough to make him a fantasy streaming option?
Week 5 Production
Sadiq was knocked out early in Week 5’s matchup with the Browns, giving us a good look at how New York would deploy their tight ends in his absence. Taylor led the way in terms of snaps, staying on the field for 59% of New York’s plays. Jelani Woods and Jeremy Ruckert shared the backup snaps, posting 36% and 33% snap rates, respectively. Taylor got the available targets, catching all three passes for 24 yards. Woods drew only one target, while Ruckert had none.
5.4 PPR points aren’t going to get you any kudos in the fantasy group chat, but it can get the job done, especially with the injuries at the tight end position. Taylor hasn’t been productive in his career, but he will get some target share in Week 6 if Kenyon Sadiq is out. There is opportunity here, but to decide whether he’s worth streaming, we have to look at the matchup.
Matchup Outlook
Mason’s biggest problem is the Patriots’ strong tight-end defense. This year, New England has allowed only 51.5 PPR points to tight ends, a top-ten mark in the league. Their rangy coverage linebackers, Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss, know how to keep things in front of them and wrap up quickly. Taylor tends to work in short areas, and will be hard-pressed to get yards after the catch with these two chasing him around.
It’s clear we have a baseline for Taylor in this kind of matchup. But is it going to be enough to deliver TE1 value?
Fantasy Verdict
It’s all about your desperation here. Assuming Sadiq is out, he’ll join Sam LaPorta, Mike Gesicki, and TJ Hockenson (bye weeks) on fantasy benches. That leaves a thin waiver wire for a replacement. Taylor’s upside is low, but I see a high floor in PPR leagues; he’s bound to get some check-downs from Geno Smith and will do enough to give you something at tight end. That’s about all you can ask for with a TE streamer.
