A lot of people think you can’t grade a draft for years because these players haven’t even seen the field yet – and they are wrong. What we’re doing here is grading things like team fit, talent level, and draft/positional value. In a few years, we can revisit this draft and grade the players based on performance.
Ah, the Jets. Once again finding themselves in dire need of a quarterback, the Jets decided to pass on Shadeur Sanders (somehow Woody was able to keep his Woody in his pants and let the football people decide things) and sign Justin Fields as a stop gap QB. With that in mind, the Jets decided to beef up the second most important position group in the NFL, the OL, with their first overall pick, and generally focuses on bolstering weakspots throughout the roster in preparation for what will likely be a QB draft in the early first round of 2026.
1.7 – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Playing it safe, the Jets took who I think might end up being the best overall tackle in this draft class. Unless he gets Jets’d. Membou is a superb athlete and we all know how much I value raw athletic talent. The Jets have invested a lot into OL without much to show for it, but it looks like Olu Fashanu, last year’s first round pick, is going to work out and if Membou does, the Jets will have their OL bookends locked up for years to come, the perfect thing for a rookie QB next year. I like this pick and the draft slot and I am a huge fan of the player, shame he ended up in Jersey.
2.10 – Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Taylor is another great pick with the a QB of the future in mind. A strong blocker with a lot of athleticism, Taylor can bolster the offense on the ground lined up tight and the air either up the seam or from the slot. The extra protection, if kept in as a blocker, will go a long way towards helping the Jets’ next QB and Taylor could easily see a lot of playing time as a rookie, too. The Jets were often projected to select a TE like Tyler Warren at 7th overall and I think they did a good job allowing the draft to come to them while still landing a good prospect at a position of need.
3.9 – Azareye’h Thomas, CB, FSU
This pick has Aaron Glenn’s fingerprints all over it. The former Lion’s DC ran man coverage almost exclusively in Detroit and Thomas’ skillset best matches a press man scheme. He has a good size, but mediocre speed for a DB. He also has a tendency to be overly physical with receivers, which will definitely lead to penalties. Fortunately (for Josh Allen), the Jets signed Brandon Stephens in free agency, so there is no immediate pressure for Thomas to start. With some good coaching and time to learn on the bench, I like his potential.
4.8 – Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
This one seemed like a hell of a reach. Smith wasn’t even on my radar for the Bills in the 6th/7th and a fast WR was one of our bigger needs. He’s of average height and very slim, but he did run a 4.36 40 at the combine. He’s got a pretty limited route tree and questionable hands, but he gets bumped off his route by a physical corner way too often. He might get time as a 4th round pick at punt/kick returner, but I think he’ll need a lot of work before seeing regular playing time on offense.
4.28 – Malachi Moore, S, Roll Damn Tide
I almost hate myself for saying this, but Moore kinda gives me Honey Badger vibes. He’s not very big and he’s not a super elite athlete, he just plays fast with great instincts. I would not have been surprised to see him taken a round earlier. The Jets needed a safety and they may have gotten a steal here.
5.26 – Francisco Mauigoa, LB, Miami
Mauigoa is basically a pure depth pick. The Jets have solid starters with Davis, Sherwood, and Williams, but their depth will basically be an open competition this training camp. Mauigoa has mediocre size, but above average speed for a MIKE, but he called plays for the defense at da U, so I expect he’ll be first in line to back up Sherwood. He also has special teams experience, so he’ll definitely make the roster.
5.40 – Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami
It wouldn’t be a Jets draft without at least one DLineman, right? The Jets traded up, for some reason, to draft Tyler Baron at the tail end of the fifth. It was highly probable that he would have been there ten slots later and I definitely don’t like trading away future draft capital from a year when you will almost certainly be looking to trade up for a QB. That said, Baron has great size at 6’5″, 260 lbs and the Jets have a need for depth at defensive end. Despite being drafted basically in the 6th round, Baron is a near roster lock.
Grade: B-
Overall, I think the Jets did fairly well. I liked their first two picks a lot, but the rest are a mixed bag. I was keen for the Bills to avoid Thomas in this draft, but I think he has a better shot of working out in Jersey than in Buffalo. Interested to see how that plays out. If Membou works out and the Jets can get serviceable play from Fields, I could see them contending with the Patriots for second place in the division.
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