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Jets Right Tackle Earning All-Rookie Praise

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While their 3-9 record might suggest otherwise, the 2025 New York Jets are in a much better spot now compared to last year. There are still growing pains, but rookie head coach Aaron Glenn has seemed to turn a corner. Through the last five weeks, the Jets have gone 3-2. The decision to switch from Justin Fields to Tyrod Taylor proved the right move at quarterback. Along with the early returns on new wide receivers John Metchie and Adonai Mitchell. However, it’s the offensive line that deserves a lot of credit. Specifically, the success shown by rookie right tackle Armand Membou. One year after drafting left tackle Olu Fashanu, the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, has turned heads. Such a performance could earn some All-Rookie first team votes from his season thus far.

Jun 10, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Armand Membou (70) participates in a drill with guard Kohl Levao (60) during minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Jets Right Tackle Earning All-Rookie Praise

Entering the 2025 NFL season, general manager Darren Mougey wanted to make right tackle a priority. Before he arrived in New York, he recognized New York had a nice nucleus of an offensive line. While injury issues persist, Alijah Vera-Tucker has been regarded as one of the better right guards in the league. While Vera-Tucker was injured, center turned right guard Joe Tippmann has been doing an outstanding job. Next to him, he’s joined by two veterans in the interior between left guard John Simpson and center Josh Myers. After trading out of the top 10, Olu Fashanu is proving his potential at left tackle. The Jets needed one more piece to complete the puzzle, and they lucked out with Armand Membou.

 

Armand Membou is thriving in his rookie season in New York

Recognizing the need at right tackle, the choice with the seventh overall pick was simple. Without hesitation, the Jets swung on Missouri right tackle Armand Membou. A beloved member of head coach Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri Tigers, Membou was a multi-year starter and overshadowed by big schools in the SEC. However, that didn’t diminish his abilities on the field. With a hulking frame at 6’4″ and over 330lbs, Membou wowed scouts in Indianapolis with the fastest 40-yard dash time among scouts during the NFL Combine. Through Membou’s run blocking, Missouri had a 1,600+ yard rushing season from running back Cody Schrader in 2023. With that kind of run-blocking ability, they believed he’d be perfect to help the running back room, and right they were.

Jets Have A Top 10 Rushing Offense

Much has been brought up about the woeful state of the Jets passing game this season. Between Justin Fields struggles and Garrett Wilson’s injury, the Jets average a league-worst 146.8 passing yards per game. However, despite this, the Jets offense has succeeded in its offseason goal of establishing the run. Through the first 13 weeks of the season, the Jets average a seventh-best 133.7 rushing yards per game. Star running back Breece Hall has led the charge with 834 yards thus far. Even with his struggles, Justin Fields has nearly 400 rushing yards this season. While they’ve been the biggest beneficiaries, it’s thanks to the offensive line’s hard work that made it possible. Pairing a young duo like Tippmann and Membou on the right side has opened up more running lanes this season. Imagine how much better it can be with a healthy AVT back in 2026?

Armand Membou, 2025 NFL Draft rookie, offensive tackle, New York Jets
May 9, 2025; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets rookie offensive tackle Armand Membou (70) participates in a drill during the minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images

Can they build on this to improve the Passing Game in 2026?

It’s no secret that the passing game will take time to get to fruition. However, there is a lot of evidence to point to it turning around earlier than expected. This is crucial to how the Jets handle the quarterback position next year. Their recent success has cost them draft positioning, but they are armed with enough capital to move up the board. The quarterback class in 2027 is way more diverse compared to this year. However, the lack of premier bridge quarterbacks makes this a tough sell. Yet, some fans are wary of using the picks to trade up for one of Fernando Mendoza. Along with the looming danger of Dante Moore and Ty Simpson potentially returning to school.

 

Regardless, the Jets passing game should improve even with Tyrod Taylor retaining the job. Another offseason together should refine the pass protection in New York. Along with retaining Adonai Mitchell and hopefully John Metchie, the Jets have two promising young receivers to pair with Garrett Wilson. Plus, another year of development for Mason Taylor can lead to a big sophomore surge in his second year. Should the offensive line maintain this production, it can be a more efficient offense in 2026, no matter who is under center.

Main Photo: [John Jones] – Imagn Images

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