Last year, the Jets added to their offensive line by selecting tackle Olu Fashanu 11th overall in the NFL Draft.
History has repeated itself as Gang Green again chose an offensive lineman in the first round.
At pick No. 7, the Jets selected Missouri tackle Armand Membou, who is expected to be the team’s right tackle of the future. He is the first draft pick in the Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey era, following their hiring as coach and general manager.
Membou is also the fourth offensive lineman the Jets have selected in the first round since 2020 (Mekhi Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Fashanu).
“I had a feeling this was going to be my home,” Membou said during his media availability on Thursday night. “When I woke up today, something told me I was going to be a Jet.”
The son of Cameroonian parents, Membou didn’t play football until he reached high school. Growing up in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, he played basketball, tennis, and soccer.
However, that was several inches and pounds later, as Membou grew three inches and around 100 pounds during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also became a dominant offensive lineman, which led him to stay home and sign with the University of Missouri.
During his three seasons for the Tigers, Membou allowed just three sacks and 26 pressures in over 2,000 snaps at mostly right tackle. In 2024, he didn’t allow a single sack at Missouri.
Membou is a pure right tackle, which led to various opinions about him during this year’s draft cycle, whether he should stay at that position or move inside to guard. He is athletically gifted as Membou explodes off the line of scrimmage and uses his strength and hands to gain an advantage against pass rushers.
At Missouri, Membou played in a zone-blocking scheme where he could dump defenders on the ground on the second and third levels. Although he had an excellent career for the Tigers, Membou struggled against certain speed rushers, including those from Alabama.
However, Membou is also a genetic freak of an athlete. He ran a 4.91 40-yard dash during February’s NFL Combine and also had a 34-inch vertical jump. He is a promising young prospect with a strong frame and a high ceiling to become one of the better right tackles in the NFL.
“They are getting a mauler,” Membou said. “A mauler in the run game and in pass pro [protection], someone very consistent. “I’m going to make sure to keep my quarterback clean.”
The Jets have a glaring need at right tackle after Morgan Moses left in free agency to sign with the rival Patriots. However, the Jets now have their bookend tackles for the foreseeable future in Fashanu and Membou, who will join an offensive line that also includes left guard John Simpson, center Joe Tippmann, and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.
“I think the Jets O-Line got a good, young foundation,” Membou said. “Adding me to it, the work I’m going to put in this organization, we can be very good up front in the trenches.”
After years of the offensive line being one of the team’s weaknesses, the Jets’ unit was solid the previous season. They allowed 40 sacks, tied with the Buccaneers for 17th in the NFL.
However, this is a different Jets regime than last season after the team fired both coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas amidst a 5-12 campaign. The Jets also moved on from offensive line coach Keith Carter.
Since then, Glenn and Mougey have made several changes to the Jets’ roster, including releasing Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams.
Now that the offensive line appears to be set, that will help quarterback Justin Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract in March. With Fields’ mobility, the Jets are expected to lean heavily on running the ball.
“I’m a mauler, so s–t, whatever they need me to do, it don’t matter,” Membou said about the Jets potentially running the ball a lot next year. “Just put them behind me.”
Originally Published: April 24, 2025 at 9:02 PM EDT
