The New York Jets began the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday by addressing the offensive line with the selection of Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou with the seventh overall pick. Membou joins a New York offensive line headlined by guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and tackle Olu Fashanu and the former Missouri Tiger is ready to be the “mauler” that the team needs him to be.
“They’re getting a mauler, for sure. A mauler in the run game and in pass pro; just someone very consistent. I’m gonna make sure to keep my quarterback clean,” Membou said to the Jets media following his selection. Membou came into the Draft as one of the best offensive linemen due to how well he tested at the Scouting Combine and how he can be a difference-maker in the run game from Day 1 with the potential to be just as dangerous in pass protection.
The offensive line is something that the Jets have been trying to short up for the past few years as four of the five projected starters, including Membou, were drafted in the second round or earlier in the Draft. John Simpson, the projected starter at left guard, signed with New York last offseason as the team sought to rebuild the offensive line and even he’s a former fourth-round pick from the 2020 Draft.
Despite a 2024 season in which the Jets finished with a 5-12 record, the passing game wasn’t the main issue for New York as quarterback Aaron Rodgers and company as the unit ranked 16th in passing yards and sixth in touchdown passes. However, the running game ranked just 32nd in rushing attempts, 31st in rushing yards, and 30th in rushing touchdowns. Head coach Aaron Glenn is hoping Membou can change the fortunes of the team’s rushing attack.
“Listen, I think everything he said on that call really fits who he is and fits us also. The athletic profile is off the charts. He’s mean, he’s nasty, he’s tough,” Glenn said to the media following the selection of Membou. “He really fits what we’re trying to do on offense so it was a no-brainer. Once the pick was there for us, it was like ‘this is the guy’ (to pick).”