Grading every NY Jets 2025 draft pick (with 1 bold prediction for each)

The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and the New York Jets have wrapped up what could be a crucial step toward reshaping their roster under new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.

After a strong start with standout picks like Armand Membou and Mason Taylor, the Jets took some polarizing swings on Day 3, mixing high-upside prospects with immediate special teams contributors.

Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to hand out grades for every Jets draft pick and make one bold prediction for what each rookie could bring to the team moving forward. Let's dive in.

Grading the 2025 New York Jets draft class

Armand Membou, OT, Missouri - Round 1, 7th Overall

Grade: A
Bold prediction: Membou will make a Pro Bowl before the end of his rookie contract.

The Jets could not have played this pick any better. With a gaping hole at right tackle, they stayed patient, trusted their board, and landed one of the best offensive linemen in the draft.

Armand Membou immediately steps in as a plug-and-play starter opposite Olu Fashanu, giving the Jets the young, high-upside bookend tackle duo they desperately needed.

His athleticism, polish in pass protection, and toughness in the run game fit exactly what the Jets want to build up front under new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. In a draft filled with potential risk at other spots, Membou was the safe, smart, and necessary move.

Mason Taylor, TE, LSU - Round 2, 42nd Overall

Grade: A
Bold prediction: Taylor will finish as the Jets' second-leading receiver in 2025.

This was one of the best picks the Jets made all weekend. After passing on Tyler Warren in Round 1, they still managed to land an instant-impact tight end in Mason Taylor at the top of Round 2.

Taylor is an experienced, reliable pass catcher with strong hands, natural athleticism, and the toughness to grow into a complete three-down player.

He fills a massive need on the roster and should immediately become one of Justin Fields’ most trusted targets. For a team starving for reliable production outside of Garrett Wilson, Taylor has a real chance to be a foundational piece on offense for years to come.

Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State - Round 3, 73rd Overall

Grade: A-
Bold prediction: Thomas will take over as the Jets' starting CB2 before the end of the 2025 season.

This was another home-run value pick by the Jets. Azareye’h Thomas is a long, athletic, physical cornerback who fits Aaron Glenn’s defensive philosophy perfectly. His upside is undeniable, and his competitive, aggressive play style mirrors exactly what Glenn wants in his secondary.

The only real downside here is how it complicates the Brandon Stephens signing. Giving Stephens the contract he received never made much sense, and this pick only makes that move look worse in hindsight.

Still, the Jets drafted a potential long-term starter at an important position, and you can never have enough good corners.

Arian Smith, WR, Georgia - Round 4, 110th Overall

Grade: D
Bold prediction: Smith will end up being this year's version of Malachi Corley.

This was easily the most puzzling pick of the Jets’ draft. Arian Smith is a legitimate burner with true game-breaking speed, but his severe drop issues, lack of separation skills, and extensive injury history make him a major project at best.

With better, more complete wide receiver prospects still available like Jalen Royals and Elic Ayomanor, this felt like an unnecessary swing on a one-dimensional player.

Smith's athletic upside is real, but this pick carries far more risk than reward, and feels a bit like a panic move after the board broke poorly for the Jets.

Malachi Moore, SAF, Alabama - Round 4, 130th Overall

Grade: B
Bold prediction: Moore will be a starting safety for the Jets by 2026.

This was a solid move by the Jets, even if it might have been a slight reach on the board. Malachi Moore is a versatile, instinctive defensive back who brings leadership, toughness, and the kind of high-IQ football mentality Aaron Glenn covets.

Trading up to get him shows just how much the Jets valued his fit in their defense. Moore might start out as a core special teamer, but it is easy to envision him pushing for meaningful defensive snaps sooner rather than later.

His versatility and experience in a complex Alabama defense should translate well at the next level.

Francisco Mauigoa, LB, Miami - Round 5, 162nd Overall

Grade: C
Bold prediction: Mauigoa will win the Jets’ LB3 job by the end of the summer.

This was a fine, if unspectacular, pick for the Jets at this stage of the draft. Francisco Mauigoa projects as a core special teamer right away, and his instincts, physicality, and leadership give him a real shot to eventually carve out a bigger role on defense.

His tackling and coverage skills still need work, but you can see why the Jets would bet on his mentality and upside. With no true third linebacker firmly established on the roster and Quincy Williams' long-term future uncertain, Mauigoa could quickly become more important than most late-round picks.

Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami - Round 5, 176th Overall

Grade: C+
Bold prediction: Baron will finish his rookie season with more sacks than Haason Reddick had in his Jets career.

This was a nice value pick to close out the Jets’ draft class. Tyler Baron is a strong, high-motor edge rusher who fits well in Aaron Glenn’s defensive scheme.

While he never fully lived up to expectations in college, he brings real pass-rush ability and gives the Jets much-needed depth at defensive end behind Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson.

Baron has a realistic path to becoming the team's top backup edge if he develops quickly, given that his primary competition is Micheal Clemons. At the very least, he’ll be a physical, high-energy rotational piece who fits the Jets' defensive identity.