New York Jets rookie offensive tackle Armand Membou has made some strong impressions since being taken with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of April’s draft.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini emphatically stated that, “Barring something unforeseen, Membou will be the Week 1 starter at right tackle. All indications from the offseason pointed in that direction. It’s almost impossible to evaluate an offensive lineman in non-padded practices, but this much was clear in the spring: Membou is an exceptional mover for 332 pounds. That 4.92-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine wasn’t a fluke. With that kind of agility, he should be able to block at the second level. He did struggle some against Will McDonald IV, a bendy pass rusher, but offensive linemen are at a disadvantage without pads.”
Mizzou Tiger Armand Membou’s roaring 4.91u at at 6’4” 332 lbs!
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YpVo0xDAB3— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2025
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New Jets offensive line coach Steve Heiden told Cimini, “We’ve seen all the workout warriors who can’t play a lick of ball. Membou can play ball.”
Membou signed his four-year $31.9 million rookie contract earlier this offseason.
The Jets First Round Investment Is Set to Pay Immediate Dividends
Membou being the starter at right tackle in Week 1 wouldn’t be all that surprising. He was a top-seven pick and the second offensive lineman taken off the board.
Throughout the Jets’ draft history, they have selected players who did one thing in college and asked them to do something different in the pros. That is a risky proposition.
There will be no such risks taken like that under this new Jets regime.
Membou played on the interior offensive line in high school but kicked out to offensive tackle at the next level.
“A three-year starter at Missouri, Membou was a stalwart at right tackle in offensive coordinator Kirby Moore’s RPO-heavy zone scheme. Late to the game of football, he blossomed after arriving in Columbia. Once he broke into the starting lineup as a freshman, he didn’t give the job back and eventually earned All-SEC honors in 2024,” Dane Brugler wrote in The Athletic for “The Beast.”
Membou appeared in 35 games and made 29 starts all at right tackle. With the Jets, Membou will plug and play at that same position.
Head coach Aaron Glenn invested in the trenches, which should directly impact the pass and run game.
“What position group depends on no other position group to be good, but every other position group depends on them to be good, what position group is that? Offensive line,” Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh explained.
Jim Harbaugh talking offensive line like only Jim Harbaugh can pic.twitter.com/DiIAJUkqiP
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 25, 2024
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Membou Is a Man of Few Words
On Tuesday, June 24, the Jets released an interview between team reporter Caroline Hendershot and Membou.
In 90 seconds, Hendershot asked six questions, and Membou provided very short answers.
The highlight was the final question when Hendershot asked Membou what it’s like to play with someone like Justin Fields and being a part of this new look offense.
“Yeah, just a super talented guy with a big arm potential & really excited to block for him,” Membou responded.
A tale of two ears.
What actually happened during this #Jets interview:@cghendy: ‘What have you thought of Justin Fields & getting to play with someone who has been in the league before, been around the block, & just being a part of that offense?’@armandmembou: ‘Yeah just a… pic.twitter.com/cFc4PyEnKJ
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) June 24, 2025
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A long-form radio career might not be in Membou’s future, but he is modeling his mentality after his head coach.
Aaron Glenn prefers the Jets to be “moving in silence,” and that is exactly what Membou is championing.
