It was the first NFL draft for New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, and by all accounts the team came away with a solid haul.
The Jets had a ton of needs going into the draft and managed to address some of them in a big way.
Missouri’s Armand Membou could very well solve the Jets’ offensive tackle issue in Year 1, and Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas, LSU’s Mason Taylor, Georgia’s Arian Smith and Alabama’s Malachi Moore address needs at cornerback, tight end, wide receiver and safety, respectively.
New York rounded out its draft by taking a linebacker and edge rusher in Round 5. Here’s a look at the Jets’ entire 2025 NFL draft haul.
Jets 2025 NFL draft results
- Round 1 – Pick 7 (7) • OT Armand Membou
- Round 2 – Pick 10 (42) • TE Mason Taylor
- Round 3 – Pick 9 (73) • CB Azareye’h Thomas
- Round 4 – Pick 8 (110) • WR Arian Smith
- Round 4 – Pick 28 (130) • SAF Malachi Moore
- Round 5 – Pick 26 (162) • LB Francisco Mauigoa
- Round 5 – Pick 40 (176) • EDGE Tyler Baron
Now, it’s time to take a look at the grades the Jets are receiving from experts.
While our Jets round-up only includes one “A-” grade, the team’s class was viewed favorably overall, with one analyst even calling New York’s draft “methodical” (Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports).
Jets NFL draft grades
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: B+ (ranked 16th)
Iyer: “The Jets had a solid first draft with Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, starting off by addressing key needs with Membou and Taylor for the new-look Justin Fields offense. Thomas can start soon for the defense with his size and shutdown potential replacing D.J. Reed opposite Sauce Gardner.”
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: B
Kiper Jr.: “The Aaron Rodgers era is over in New York, and the Jets are on to Justin Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. But to have any hope of avoiding a 15th straight season without the playoffs, they had to get more help on offense around Fields at the draft. They were 20th in yards per play last season (5.2), and the arrow wasn’t necessarily pointing up coming out of free agency after losing Davante Adams, Morgan Moses and Tyler Conklin. New GM Darren Mougey and new coach Aaron Glenn didn’t waste any time, though, tackling one of the roster’s biggest issues with Armand Membou. He will replace Moses at right tackle, joining Olu Fashanu to form a really good tackle duo. You might see “right tackle” and think run blocker, and yes, he’s good in that department. But Membou also has the quickness and pop to improve the pass protection in a hurry. Looking at the Jets’ options in Round 1, I was between Membou and tight end Tyler Warren. New York went Membou, but it got Mason Taylor on Friday. Consider that Jets tight ends averaged 8.1 yards per reception last season, last in the league. Fields excels at throwing to his tight ends, and Taylor is a reliable pass catcher. He has 6-foot-5 size to come down with end zone throws and the route-running traits to pick up key first downs. Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas is strong in press coverage and has the speed to stick on receivers. The Jets will use him opposite Sauce Gardner. Getting him at No. 73 represents value, too. I had Thomas ranked 47th, and he probably would have been a first-rounder if he ran better at his pro day. Those three picks were the start of an “A” draft class. But the Day 3 picks didn’t muster much. Receiver Arian Smith has speed, but his hands aren’t consistent. I had him ranked as WR33. Jalen Royals, Elic Ayomanor and Jaylin Lane were still available when Smith went No. 110. Edge rusher Tyler Baron is a decent fifth-rounder, but the Jets didn’t maximize those four picks in the fourth and fifth rounds.”
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: B+
Reuter: “The Jets passed over the draft’s top tight ends to pick a promising but raw lineman in Membou. Taylor met that need for an athletic receiving threat in Round 2, though, and Thomas could be a steal if overcoming his average long speed with physical downfield coverage. Smith’s potential as a speed threat can come to fruition if he’s able to concentrate on the ball through the catch. They upgraded the defense with the experienced Moore and active Mauigoa and then switched future Day 3 picks to grab a bargain edge in Baron. The Jets chose not to select a quarterback to compete with Justin Fields.”
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: A- (ranked 4th)
Davis: “Notable that they hired a defensive-minded coach – and one of the best corners in franchise history – in Aaron Glenn only to opt for an offensive-centric draft, and one that seemed modeled on the Lions blueprint Glenn saw work so well as their defensive coordinator. First-round RT Armand Membou and second-round TE Mason Taylor, son of former Jets OLB Jason Taylor, should either provide immediate help to new QB Justin Fields … or whomever replaces him in a year or two. Third-round CB Azareye’h Thomas will be tested opposite Sauce Gardner but represents good value. Fourth-round WR Arian Smith is pure speed, which could open the field for Mason and WR Garrett Wilson. Glenn and rookie GM Darren Mougey nicely drove the fairway on their first tee shot.”
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: B+
Trapasso: “Methodical draft this year from the Jets. Membou fortifies the right side of the offensive line, and Thomas provides Aaron Glenn a moldable ball of clay to work with at cornerback. Taylor was picked too early for one of the youngest players in the class. In time, he can be a super-smooth separator at tight end. Smith is electric down the field and runs quality routes, his hands are just very suspect. Moore and Mauigoa are two consistent defenders at safety and linebacker respectively. It certainly doesn’t hurt to add depth at either of those two positions. Frankly, Moore could start as a rookie and has the mental capacity for it.”
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