There’s a reason this NY Jets draft favorite makes more sense than people realize

The New York Jets have been connected to a number of different prospects in the months leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, but in recent weeks, one name has seemingly emerged as the consensus favorite: Armand Membou.

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan have been popular mock draft picks for the Jets, but Membou has quickly emerged as the most common projection.

The reasoning is straightforward. The Jets have a glaring hole at right tackle, and Membou, whose stock exploded after a strong performance at the NFL Combine, is seen as arguably the best offensive line prospect in this year's class.

While the Jets arguably have more pressing needs at tight end and wide receiver, Membou would immediately solidify the offensive line. But what makes him such a smart pick goes beyond the short term — it ties into the long-term construction of the roster.

The overlooked reason why Armand Membou is a perfect NY Jets draft target

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Jets are heading into the draft with a legitimately solid offensive line. Four starters, all 27 or younger and playing at an average or better level, are already under contract for 2025.

Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, and Alijah Vera-Tucker give the Jets their strongest offensive line core in years. With a new coaching staff in place — and Keith Carter no longer in the picture — this unit has the potential to emerge as one of the better groups in the NFL this season.

But what feels like a luxury today could easily become a weakness tomorrow.

Simpson and Vera-Tucker, each of the Jets' starting guards, are set to be free agents in 2026. If both players perform at the level they did in 2024, they'll each be in line for significant pay raises next offseason.

It's rare to see NFL teams pay two starting guards high-level money, meaning there's a very real chance the Jets will be searching for another starter along the offensive line next year at this time.

That’s what makes Membou such a logical fit. The Missouri standout offers valuable tackle/guard versatility and would give the Jets another young, high-upside lineman on a rookie deal. That kind of flexibility is huge as the team looks ahead to 2026 and beyond.

The Jets aren’t heading into the 2025 NFL Draft simply looking to patch up short-term roster holes. Their goal is to land multiple long-term starters, regardless of position. Membou not only helps fill a current gap, but he also projects as a valuable piece in the team’s long-term roster construction.

He’d be expected to step in right away as the team’s starting right tackle, solidifying a spot that’s seen too much turnover in recent years. But what sets Membou apart from other options is his versatility. While he profiles as a Day 1 starter on the outside, he also has the skill set to kick inside if the need arises down the road.

That flexibility could prove critical. With both starting guards — Simpson and Vera-Tucker — set to hit free agency in 2026, the Jets may be forced to make tough financial decisions next offseason. Membou gives them a potential fallback plan and another offensive line building block.

Membou would provide the Jets with a plug-and-play starter at right tackle with the versatility to shift inside if needed, offering both short-term stability and long-term insurance. It’s the kind of smart, forward-thinking pick that fits exactly what the Jets need in 2025 and beyond.

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