New York’s Offensive Line Gets a Major Boost with Membou’s Arrival
Armand Membou, the Jets’ top pick at No. 7 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, arrived at 1 Jets Drive on Friday, fresh from Green Bay. Meeting with the media for the first time, the 21-year-old right tackle displayed an easygoing, thoughtful demeanor — but made it clear that when he steps onto the field, it’s all business.
“When I’m out there, it’s different,” Membou said. “No friends out there. Just get after everybody.”
Membou turned heads at the NFL Combine with rare athleticism for a player his size — 6-foot-4, 332 pounds. His 4.91-second 40-yard dash was the fastest recorded by an offensive lineman of his size since 2003, per NFL Research. He also led his position group with a 9-7 broad jump and became one of just a handful of linemen over 315 pounds to clear a 30-inch vertical while running a sub-5.0 40.
Before becoming a two-year starter at Missouri — earning second-team All-SEC honors — Membou transformed himself physically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, I was probably about 6-foot, 220 pounds,” he recalled. “By the time we got back to workouts, I was 6-2, 6-3 and around 250 — faster and stronger. I just kept working, and honestly, it felt like God gave me an update.”
Head coach Aaron Glenn, who helped build the Lions’ tough offensive line in Detroit, compared Membou to Penei Sewell, another cornerstone right tackle. Membou himself mentioned modeling his game after top NFL linemen like Andrew Thomas and Rashawn Slater.
“Those guys are just really clean in their sets,” Membou said. “That’s who I try to watch.”
Having faced elite pass rushers week in and week out in the SEC, Membou feels battle-tested heading into the NFL.
“You can’t sleep on anyone,” he said. “Every team has guys who can get seven-plus sacks. You’ve got to stay sharp.”
Membou also explained how his early college career at Missouri steered him toward right tackle.
“When I first came in, Javon Foster was already at left tackle and doing his thing,” Membou said. “Then we brought in Marcus Bryant, so I stayed on the right side.”
With Membou now locked in at right tackle, the Jets’ offensive line looks poised to be one of the league’s youngest — and most promising — units.
