Mason Taylor vs Oronde Gadsden: Who Should You Start?
Mason Taylor and Oronde Gadsden are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Mason Taylor averaged 5.1 PPG across 13 games with the New York Jets, while Oronde Gadsden posted 7.1 PPG in 15 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers.
A 2.0-PPG gap gives Oronde Gadsden the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Mason Taylor had 44 catches for 369 yards; Oronde Gadsden posted 49 for 664. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.
One scheduling note: Mason Taylor is off Week 12 and Oronde Gadsden Week 5. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in tight end for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.
