The New York Jets selected offensive tackle Armand Membou at No. 7 overall in the 2025 NFL draft. The former Missouri standout will be the starting right tackle this season. Membou possesses the qualities necessary to enjoy a terrific rookie season.
Membou especially impressed the Jets at the NFL combine. The 6-foot-4, 332 pound blocker ran the 40-yard dash in an absurd 4.91 seconds. Membou also posted 31 reps on the bench press, and leaped a 34-inch vertical and 9-foot-7 broad jump.
Eight offensive tackles went in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Five of them played 600-plus snaps as a rookie to varying degrees of success. JC Latham and Taliese Fuaga were solid all things considered. Joe Alt was outstanding. Tyler Guyton and Amarius Mims struggled.
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Among the three first-round tackles who played fewer snaps was Jets blocker Olu Fashanu. Ironically enough, Fashanu will be the starting left tackle as a sophomore while more pressure is placed on Membou to contribute right away. Membou won’t have the benefit of learning behind a veteran.
Several rookie offensive tackles have hit strides in recent years, Alt and Rashawn Slater included. The 2024 draft welcomed many high-level instant contributors, Fuaga and Latham included. Membou projects as a potential All-Rookie Team selection in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets rookie class: Setting reasonable expectations for Armand Membou