Mason Pline

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Net of age, position, and term, Mason Pline's deal earns a D Contract Value Index. At $840K on a one-year agreement, the contract itself carries minimal cap burden, but that modest AAV reflects his status as a replacement-level depth piece rather than any bargain — tight end is a position where even modest money demands demonstrable NFL production, and Pline's 2025 season saw him appear in just one game before reverting to injured reserve, a sequence that signals durability concerns and a complete absence of on-field contribution to justify any roster spot. The Saints' recent offseason moves — defensive signings and skill-position cuts — reveal no organizational priority around elevating Pline's role or investing developmental capital in his trajectory, a reality that underscores his peripheral standing in New Orleans' offensive architecture. As a second-year player at 26, Pline remains in a window where trajectory matters, yet his transactional history — waiver wire claim from San Francisco, immediate injury designation — paints the picture of a journeyman depth option rather than an emerging contributor building momentum. Until he demonstrates sustained availability and measurable production at the NFL level, a one-year deal at this price point is fair-market compensation for a player whose roster status remains perpetually contingent on circumstance rather than performance, making the CVI grade an accurate reflection of minimal leverage, minimal upside, and a contract that commits virtually nothing beyond the opportunity cost of a roster spot.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the D band — a quick read on where Mason's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Per-game impact for Mason Pline pencils out to a F performance grade. The 26-year-old tight end occupies replacement-level territory at his position, a standing that reflects both his minimal opportunity and his inability to capitalize on the scarce snaps he's received. His 2025 season production—one game of action—offers virtually no statistical foundation to identify meaningful strengths; instead, it underscores a durability crisis that has defined his brief NFL tenure. As a second-year player, Pline has yet to establish himself as a reliable contributor on any roster, having cycled through the waiver wire from San Francisco to New Orleans only to land on injured reserve—a trajectory that screams organizational uncertainty about his viability. The Saints' recent roster construction, anchored by defensive acquisitions and skill-position trimming, suggests Pline remains a depth-chart afterthought with no clear path to meaningful snaps in 2026. Until he demonstrates both availability and consistent on-field production, he will remain a transactional footnote whose roster status is perpetually precarious heading into the regular season.

How Mason Compares at the Position

Mason Pline ranks 159th of 164 graded tight ends by performance. That slots Mason between Feleipe Franks (F) just ahead and Brayden Willis (F) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Mason Pline signing is a typical camp body addition with minimal impact expectations. Multiple outlets covered the minicamp tryout positively, suggesting he impressed scouts during evaluation. The real signal here is Kansas City's need for TE depth after potential offseason gaps. Fans view this as a quiet acknowledgment that the Chiefs may have overlooked roster spots. Pline will likely compete for practice squad consideration rather than contribute meaningfully this season.