Training camp has a way of accelerating development. Sometimes it's because a player exceeds expectations. Other times, it's because circumstances demand someone step into a larger role.
The New York Jets may be witnessing a little of both with Mason Taylor.
With rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiqsidelined for portions of training camp, Taylor has naturally seen an increase in opportunities with the offense. Those added reps are a result of Sadiq's absence, they've also allowed the second-year tight end to demonstrate he may be ready for a larger workload than originally anticipated.
Second-year players are often expected to make one of the biggest jumps of their careers. After spending a season adjusting to the speed and demands of the NFL, the game
begins to slow down. Taylor appears to be reaching that point.
Coaches don't continue expanding a player's responsibilities simply because another teammate is unavailable. They do it because the player keeps proving he can handle more. That's what makes Taylor's camp noteworthy. The Jets still have every reason to believe Sadiq will become an important piece of the offense once he's healthy and fully integrated.
Taylor has already expressed his excitement to work in tandem with the Sadiq.
Sadiq is also a rookie learning one of the NFL's most demanding positions. Taylor isn't.
That experience could allow him to carve out a larger role early in the season while Sadiq continues to find his footing at the professional level. Rather than viewing the situation as a competition between the two, the Jets may ultimately benefit from having both tight ends develop into complementary weapons with different timelines.
If that unfolds, the Jets won't simply have weathered Sadiq's absence. The team may have accelerated Taylor's development while positioning themselves to feature two impactful tight ends once both are fully up to speed.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Mason Taylor's role may be expanding faster than the Jets anticipated
