
With the NFL Offseason starting for non-playoff teams, everyone is searching for a bit of good news. While it’s few and far between, the Jets did receive a nice boost from their rookie right tackle. Earlier this week, the NFL announced its All-Rookie team for the 2025 rookie class. A lot of talented rookies came into the league this year. Among them was seventh overall pick Armand Membou. The longtime Missouri Tigers offensive tackle took to the league like a fish in water. After facing a daunting and demanding group of edge rushers, he more than held his own. In fact, the right tackle received a great honor, being named to the NFL’s All-Rookie team.
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, the rookie general manager had a tough task ahead. Leading the front office for the first time in his career, the new general manager had to land on his seventh overall pick. Considering the options he had in front of him, it wasn’t an enviable task. Would the ex-wide receiver select big-bodied Arizona pass catcher Tetairoa McMillan? Would he add to the defense with an edge rusher, Mykel Williams? Perhaps reunite 2024 1st round pick Olu Fashanu with his Penn State teammate by picking Tyler Warren?
Jets RT Armand Membou makes the @PFWAwriters all-rookie team. #Jets pic.twitter.com/og7Z8siR7z
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 20, 2026
Instead, Mougey opted to focus on the offensive line by drafting Missouri right tackle Armand Membou. Mougey’s investment in the trenches coincided with last year’s selection of the left tackle Fashanu. Now pairing up with two first-round offensive tackles, it set the stage for some long-term development on offense. The All-SEC second-teamer took off swinging. Making an immediate first impression, Membou looked like a seasoned pro against ex-Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt in the season opener. While New York lost the game, the young right tackle’s outing vs the talented Pittsburgh Steelers defense left quite a mark.
For a rookie season, Membou was a model of consistency. Starting all 17 games this season, Membou logged 1,047 offensive snaps this year. In addition, Membou was only called for eight penalties throughout the season. Including only a single holding call for the season. The kind of discipline he demonstrated this year is beyond impressive for a 21-year-old. His performance was so inspired, NFL writers rewarded his efforts by naming Membou to the NFL All-Rookie Team. The other offensive tackle honored was New Orleans Saints first-round pick Kelvin Banks. Rounding out the offensive line, Jaguars center Jonah Monheim and guards Grey Zabel of the Seahawks and Tyler Booker of the Cowboys were also honored.
#Jets' young OTs keep trending up
– Olu Fashanu vs. NE: 3 pressures allowed on 33 reps & 79.5 pass-block grade
Fashanu now has the #10 pass-block grade among OT since Wk 6 (80.2).
– Armand Membou vs. NE: 1 pressure allowed, 77.7 pass-block grade
Some great pockets last night: pic.twitter.com/OuT207nTaE
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) November 14, 2025
It’s going to be an uphill battle to get the Jets offense back to respectability. However, fans should be optimistic. An offense can only operate to the efficiency as the five in the dirt can take them. Their protection both in the passing game and in creating running lanes can change skill position players’ lives, leading to explosive plays that create big seasons. Thankfully, New York has a strong foundation for the future.
Joining the young tackle duo of Fashanu & Membou is a sneaky, underrated interior offensive line. They had the benefit of working with two experienced men on the interior between guard John Simpson and center Josh Myers. After losing star guard Alijah Vera-Tucker before the season to a triceps injury, Josh Myers came into the starting center job and provided stability. His veteran experience from his days in Green Bay came in handy while starting all 17 games this year. This led to a two-year contract extension for the 27-year-old. While John Simpson was a liability due to penalties, he also started all 17 games.
However, if Simpson leaves in free agency, they can bring back Vera-Tucker opposite of star right guard Joe Tippmann. After struggling at center last year, Tippmann enjoyed a resurgent 2025. Myers moving to the starting spot shifted Tippmann over to guard, where his run-blocking prowess had paid off for New York in 2023. Between Vera-Tucker and Tippmann, the Jets have a promising interior lineman duo to pair with their young offensive tackles. Even though the Jets will have to wait for their quarterback of the future another year, they should have him surrounded by a consistent offensive line filled with potential.
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