Mel Kiper's Jets 2025 NFL Draft grade doesn't make any sense at all

The NY Jets wrapped up their first NFL Draft with head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey, and the results seem to be fairly promising. Even with some missteps on Day 3, Mougey and Glenn seemingly nailed it with their picks in the first three rounds.

The Jets seemingly hit three home runs in a row by taking a new starting right tackle in Missouri's Armand Membou, a high-end young tight end in LSU's Mason Taylor, and a very solid value cornerback pick in Florida State's Azareye'h Thomas. Day 3 was a bit riskier for Glenn and Mougey.

Picking Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith at pick No. 110 was regarded as a big reach by many, and promising selections like Alabama DB Malachi Moore weren't enough to overcome that reach. These selections might be a bit risky, but not so much that they taint the entire scope of the Draft class.

Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Jets a B in his final NFL Draft grades, citing the fact that he knocked them down a few pegs because he didn't like their Day 3 selections. It's fine to not like them, but did he really hate the Smith pick so much that he demoted the Jets after conceding the first two days were worthy of an A?

Mel Kiper Jr. has odd B grade on Jets' 2025 NFL Draft

Membou and Taylor were almost universally regarded as sure-fire picks that everyone around the league loved. Thomas might not have a path to immediate playing time, but he projected as a quality starter that no one thought would be available at No. 73 overall.

Yes, Smith has concerning drop issues and limited production. He is a gamble on athleticism and traits, which is not a terrible idea at pick No. 110 following three seemingly very safe selections. Even if Kiper doesn't like the Smith pick, the rest of Day 3 was solid.

Moore is an extremely versatile team captain who would have gone much higher had it not been for injuries. Fifth-round linebacker Francisco "Kiko" Mauigoa has tremendous speed and hitting ability, and pass rusher Tyler Baron has some very enticing pass rush numbers. Is the Smith pick so bad in Kiper's eyes that it knocks the Jets a full letter grade down?

Even conceding that the Jets probably should have picked up a defensive tackle at some point in the Draft, Kiper is being a bit too hyperbolic if he is letting some odd value picks on Day 3 overshadow the fact that Mougey and Glenn may have just added a trio of new starters in the first three rounds.

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