The New York Jets’ 2025 season has been nothing short of brutal, but there have been a few bright spots. One of the most promising is rookie right tackle Armand Membou, whom the Jets selected with the 7th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
NFL analyst Ben Solak of ESPN acknowledged Membou’s strong 2025 rookie campaign, naming him the best first-year right tackle in the NFL and including him on his 2025 All-Rookie Team.
The rookie out of Missouri, just 21 years old, has the stats to prove his impact. Through 16 starts, Membou has posted a 91.7% pass-block win rate and a 79.6% run-block win rate, according to Solak.
“Membou occasionally gets beat clean or suffers a rookie mental lapse. But snap to snap, he has a solid floor and a high ceiling in pass protection due to his tremendous grip strength and the reach to catch and control speedy rushers,” said Solak. “The Jets’ best runs and screens have often come to the offensive right on the back of Membou’s ability to uproot defensive linemen and carve out running lanes. He’s an impactful player.”
The Jets, who have struggled to find strong young talent on the offensive line in past years, appear to have found a true gem in Membou. Alongside him, 23-year-old left tackle Olu Fashanu, drafted by New York in 2024 with the 11th overall pick, has shown promising signs of becoming a reliable presence on the offensive line.
With both first-round tackles still young and full of upside, the Jets can focus on addressing other positions in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, a flexibility the team hasn’t had since the 2023 draft.
GettyLT Olu Fashanu.
Teammates Speak Highly of Membou
The Jets offensive line as a whole has been one of the better units on this 2025 team, which includes center Josh Myers. Myers, a fifth year veteran, spoke highly of Membou as a player.
Myers told Jack Bell of nyjets.com, “He’s got everything that he needs to be great, truly. He’s got the strength, the athleticism, the smarts. He’s got everything he needs, and he’s going to be a really good football player and definitely a cornerstone of this organization.”
Along with Myers, tight end Jeremy Ruckert shared a positive outlook on Membou.
Ruckert said, “Every play he goes out there trying to dominate, and like you said, playing next to him is fun. I have fun out there, and he plays with a certain style that you want to be a part of and want on your team. I think he’s come into this league and done some great things this year, and as we keep working toward getting better, I think he’s a piece that we’re really going to rely on and is fun to be a part of,” according to Bell.
GettyRT Armand Membou.
Rookie Tight End Also Looks Promising
Along with selecting Membou in the 2025 NFL Draft, New York also added tight end Mason Taylor, drafted in the second round with the 42nd overall pick.
Taylor, only 21, has already proven to be a threat in the passing game. In 13 games during his rookie season, he recorded 369 receiving yards, ranking second on the team behind star wide receiver Garrett Wilson (395).
With New York likely to implement a more pass-heavy offense next year, Taylor’s production is expected to increase even further.
GettyTE Mason Taylor.
Jets Rookie Poised for All-Rookie Recognition