Jets rookie LB draws underwhelming NFL comparison to AFC East rival

The New York Jets made seven total selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, as Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn looked to put their stamp on the roster in their first draft leading the team’s new era.

One of those picks was used to address the team’s linebacker depth, as the Jets selected Francisco Mauigoa, a hard-nosed, downhill linebacker out of the University of Miami, in the fifth round.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder compared Mauigoa to Buffalo Bills linebacker Baylon Spector in his pre-draft scouting report. Spector is a 2022 seventh-round pick who has primarily contributed on special teams with limited defensive reps in his career.

It’s an underwhelming comp on paper, but it does align with Mauigoa’s projected role on the Jets as a potential two-down run defender and special-teams fixture.

This is the sixth installment in our ongoing series comparing each Jets draft pick to their projected NFL counterpart. Links to the previous five articles can be found at the bottom of this story.

Francisco Mauigoa's NFL comparison is Baylon Spector

Spector was never expected to be a high-impact player in the NFL, and that’s largely how his career has played out to this point. The former Clemson standout has spent most of his time as a core special-teamer in Buffalo, appearing in just 15 games over his first two seasons due to injuries.

He finally earned extended defensive snaps in 2024, starting four games and appearing in 11 due to a rash of injuries at linebacker. Spector held his own, recording 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks, but again missed time with a calf injury. Availability has been an issue throughout his career.

Mauigoa’s path might not look all that different, at least initially. The former Miami linebacker projects best as a downhill, early-down defender who can contribute on special teams. He’s not the rangiest athlete and lacks the agility to track shifty runners in space, which limits his upside in coverage.

But he’s intelligent, physical, and has the kind of temperament that often carves out a home on NFL rosters. The Jets didn’t just draft him for special teams, but that will be his ticket to sticking early on.

That said, Mauigoa might already be in line for more defensive snaps than Spector ever saw as a rookie. The Jets have one of the best linebacker tandems in football with All-Pro Quincy Williams and ascending standout Jamien Sherwood, but the depth behind them is razor thin.

Mauigoa will compete for the LB3 job with the likes of Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Zaire Barnes, Jamin Davis, and a few undrafted players. It’s a very winnable competition.

Even if he doesn’t play much on defense early, Mauigoa could become a key special-teams contributor in Year 1 with a chance to grow into a bigger role. The Spector comp might feel modest, but if the Jets get a healthy, more reliable version of that player, they’ll take it.

After all, Mauigoa was a Day 3 pick. The expectations shouldn’t be sky-high. If he can stay healthy, play special teams, and step in when needed, the Jets will have gotten exactly what they were looking for.

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