Another First-Round Investment Has Jets Set Up For Solid O-Line Future
Unlike the new General Manager in Jacksonville, Darren Mougey didn’t do anything stupid with the Jets’ first-round pick in his debut at an NFL Draft. That’s worthy of mention given the franchise’s not-so-glorious Draft history, which ESPN felt obligated to show in their limited time while also squeaking in commercials before AND after New York’s selection of Missouri tackle Armand Membou at No. 7 overall.
No Jets fan should be up in arms about the pick—Membou was the consensus second-best tackle on the board after LSU’s Will Campbell, who went fourth to New England, and that might be because Membou was used exclusively at right tackle, which is valued less by NFL executives than those who patrol the quarterback’s blind side.
However, the Jets were in dire need of a right tackle after letting 2024 starter Morgan Moses walk to the Patriots in free agency. Olu Fashanu, New York’s first-round pick last year, is the presumed starter at left tackle, which potentially secures their book ends on the offensive line for the next decade or so. Membou, who earned a starting job during his freshman year, is only 21 while Fashanu just turned 22 in December.
But beware the term “potentially.” For those who are automatically upgrading Gang Green’s offensive line to one of the league’s best after ProFootballFocus.com gave the unit a 17th-ranked grade last season, that’s a bit premature. Fashanu started only seven games before finishing his rookie season on injured reserve due to plantar fasciitis. On the field, the results were mixed—PFF dinged Fashanu for just one sack allowed but his pressure rate on true pass sets (8.1%) was rather high.
The same goes for the Jets 2023 second round pick Joe Tippmann, who allowed the second-worst pressure percentage, per PFF, among the 29 centers with at least 350 pass block snaps last season. Want to know who was last? That would be Green Bay’s Josh Myers, whom the Jets signed in free agency to give Tippmann some competition. Only the guards, John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, earned some love from PFF last season, and I’m not sure the eye test matched the grades in the latter case.
Between Mougey’s first pick and the acquisitions from his predecessor Joe Douglas, you can’t argue that the team hasn’t put in the resources to bulk up what has historically been a horror show of a unit. Three first-rounders (that doesn’t even include 2020 bust Mekhi Becton), a second-rounder, and a well-done free agent signing is a heavy investment.
In time, it could pay off, especially when (if?) the team gets above-average quarterback play. With Justin Fields calling signals and limited playmakers at his disposal, however, don’t expect the Jets offense to suddenly take off come September.
Still. for those who complain that drafting Membou at 7 is position overkill and a detriment to the rest of the team, I’d retort with a case that it was both a need and a player worthy of the slot. Per PFF, Membou kept his QB clean last season—zero sacks or QB hits allowed in 12 games. Over his three seasons against the SEC’s best, he was beaten for just three sacks.
Then Membou killed it at the NFL Scouting Combine, becoming the fifth player at 330 pounds or more since 2003 to run the 40-yard dash in under five seconds with his 4.91 sprint time. His RAS score, which is supposed to measure overall athleticism, was also off the charts, ranging from 9.8-to-9.9 out of a possible 10.0.
The other most-often talked about prospect for the Jets was Tyler Warren, whose stans will counter that adding the Penn State tight end would have had a greater impact for the coming season. Besides the financial/positional value argument, who’s to say he would have? Why didn’t his numbers pop until he was a fifth-year senior? Maybe that’s why he dropped to the Colts at 14, four picks after Michigan’s Colston Loveland became the first tight end off the board by Chicago.
Again, the league, not to mention Jets fans, has seen countless players who entered the NFL with impeccable credentials only to flame out as pros. There are many variables we can’t foresee that can hinder the development of a young player. Can the player stay healthy? Will he be in an environment where he is coached up properly? Will he put it in the work? You can point to all three as to why Becton never made it in New York.
At this stage, all we can judge is the team’s process, and the Jets get credit for being disciplined instead of overly bold.
On the money as usual. To be honest I think either one of the two most talked about options for the Jets would have been perfectly acceptable. As for Tyler Warrens being a 5th year starter you have to look at his journey. He began his football career as a QB. In HS he was All State in basketball and baseball as well as football. At Penn State there were 2 TE’s ahead of him that are now NFL starters . Theo Johnson with the Giants and Brenton Strange with Jax. Now that said, looking at his previous two seasons at Penn State it’s not like his numbers were bad. He actually had about as many receptions and as much yardage as the two guys ahead of him on the depth chart. But the stats aside I liked his willingness as a blocker and his competitive nature. As the young folk’s say these days; he’s a baller! But I’m more than fine with young Mr.Membou. Thanks again for another level headed on the money column sir. 👍
In 1989, the Jets in desperate need of wide receivers were sitting with the 14th pick and the top wide receiver in the whole draft class, Andre Rison was starring them right in the face.
The pick is in the NY Jets select middle linebacker from Virginia Jeff Lageman. It was a reach
for a player who’s position was not available on the Jets.
Mel Kiper doing draft analysis for ESPN made one of his top three draft quotes of all time “ Evidently the New York Jets have no clue what the draft is about”.
Here we are 36 years later, and the new saviors Glenn and Mougey have no clue what the draft is about.
I would like to preface my rant by saying three points
1. Glenn said this was not a rebuilding year.
2. He said he was different than most defensive HCs because he was a scout and he spent many hours learning offense
3. The players selected MIGHT turn into good players but position wise they make no sense to what this team needed.
The Jets enter Thursday’s draft with 4 really big needs. Offensive tackle, Tight end, Wide Receiver and Defensive tackle.
The strength of this draft was wide receiver and defensive tackle. Offensive tackle had about 6-7 possible first rounders. After the top 4-5 tight ends, there was a drop off.
The Jets had it laid out for them on a platter.
First came Membou, then came Mason Taylor.
While the fan base waited impatiently for round three to start, the new franchise saviors went off course, they decided cornerback Azareye’h Thomas was their man. He was a value pick.
Supposedly the Jet cornerback room was covered by Sauce, Stiggers, Bernard-Converse, Carter II and off course the recipient of the second largest free agent contract given out by MouGlenn, Brandon Stephens.
The Torch and Pitchfork Brigade let out a collective WTF.
There still were some quality wide receivers available plus a few defensive tackles.
What happened to need.
Came late day Saturday, David writes that he really hopes the Jets take wr Jalen Royals. He calls him the perfect piece for the Jets.
Commissioner Hugger to the mic, the Jets select wr Arian Smith.
The Brigade in unison say “WHO.”
Lo and behold, the Brigade learns that Smith was a NCAA stat leader but unfortunately in a true Jet like stat, highest drop percentage.
I would say this really isn’t a good look for Aaron the scout.
Smith can run a 4.36 forty, that is very nice to hear, but his job is to also catch every ball.
Noted Jet blogger Joe Caparoso is calling this pick “ Mougey’s Hackenberg moment.”
Meanwhile the Chiefs seeing that Royals is available trades up.
That pick puts David in good company with Andy Reid.
The Jets with not many picks then decide to trade up to take a safety. What happened to defensive tackle or another tight end.
One might argue that safety was a need but the fact remains Glenn in his system mixes his players up, safeties become corners and corners become safety.
With the drafting of Thomas, Stephens can be switched to safety, he has played there.
With their next pick, they take a linebacker from Miami.
The need here was not for a linebacker but TE,WR or DT.
Lastly, another trade up, this time using a 2026 pick to draft an edge player prospect.
It would appear that Glenn the DC, showed up Saturday.
Very strange that a team with a few offensive needs turned into a defensive draft except for its biggest defensive need, defensive tackle.
Again my point is, if this is not a rebuilding year why didn’t they draft for biggest need.
It seems all we got was double talk.
To further highlight the absurdity of Sundays picks, here is the summary of three key positions.
Drafted by teams,
16 Tight Ends
31 Wide Receivers
30 Defensive Tackle, 30 DTs drafted but not one from the Jets.
If there is a word for Draft Malpractice, the Jets did it yesterday.
When the Jets last pick was announced, the Jets roster had at tight end, Steve Smartt, Zack Kuntz, Jeremy Ruckert, and Neal Johnson. Mason Taylor not listed yet.
Defensive tackle, Q, Cowart. Nnadi, Taylor, Mathis and Tufele. Aside from Q, that group should really strike fear into opposing OCs
Too further accuse the Jet front office of Draft Malpractice as of Sunday at 1pm, the Jets UDFA list does not show a Tight End but one that’s it one defensive tackle, Fatorma Mulbah from West Virginia.
Also signed were a safety and a corner. Do you see a pattern here.
Sorry you can disagree with me all you want, at this point I really don’t care.
This should make all you fans very happy, probably by the time next years draft happens, the Jets biggest needs will be
offensive guard, Tight end, wide receiver and defensive tackle.