Jets' next pick after Armand Membou selection is painfully obvious

The New York Jets didn’t overthink it on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. They addressed arguably their biggest need with one of the cleanest, most logical picks on the board, selecting Missouri right tackle Armand Membou at No. 7 overall.

It was a no-nonsense move to complete the team's offensive line and protect their new quarterback, Justin Fields. Ultimately, it was a pick that made too much sense not to make.

Now, as the Jets shift focus to Day 2, their draft strategy feels even more obvious. With the offensive line solidified, the team’s next priority should be surrounding Fields with weapons.

That means wide receivers. That means tight ends. And that means using picks No. 42 and 73 to inject real pass-catching talent into a roster that desperately needs it.

The NY Jets must target tight end and wide receiver on Day 2 of the draft

Whether it’s a vertical threat on the outside or a reliable middle-of-the-field presence at tight end, the Jets must come away from Day 2 with at least one, if not two, new pass catchers.

The depth of this class at both positions gives them flexibility. But what they don’t have is the luxury of waiting. The offensive line might be ready. The rest of the offense isn’t.

The need couldn’t be clearer. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets’ pass-catching corps is hanging on by a thread. Allen Lazard is still on the roster (for now), but his future in New York feels murky at best following two disappointing seasons and a recent pay cut.

Josh Reynolds brings some veteran reliability as a capable WR3, and Tyler Johnson was added for depth, but neither moves the needle for a team looking to seriously elevate its offense. Neither Malachi Corley nor Xavier Gipson should be counted on as meaningful contributors in 2025.

At tight end, the situation is even bleaker. The Jets signed Stone Smartt in free agency to pair with Jeremy Ruckert, but neither projects as a true starting option in the NFL. In reality, both would struggle to hold down TE2 roles on most rosters.

For a team hoping to give Fields the best chance to succeed, the lack of proven pass catchers sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s not just a want, it’s a need, and the longer the Jets wait to address it, the harder it will be to fix.

Fortunately for the Jets, Day 2 should be loaded with pass-catching talent. At tight end, LSU’s Mason Taylor and Miami’s Elijah Arroyo headline a deep group that also includes Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson and Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr.

Wide receiver offers just as much variety, with names like Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, Utah State’s Jalen Royals, Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor, Ole Miss’ Tre Harris, Missouri's Luther Burden III, and TCU’s Jack Bech all still on the board.

The board couldn’t have fallen much better for the Jets after Round 1. With a deep group of wide receivers and tight ends still available, the Day 2 setup perfectly matches their biggest remaining need.

The strategy is as clear as it gets. If the Jets want to maximize the impact of their prudent Round 1 pick, they must add pass catchers on Day 2. There’s no excuse not to.

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