The New York Jets now have a pair of huge, bodily, first-round constructing blocks for his or her offensive line.
Missouri offensive sort out Armand Membou was taken by the Jets with the No. 7 general choose within the NFL draft on Thursday night time. The addition of Membou comes a 12 months after New York drafted Olu Fashanu with the eleventh general choose.
“I think the Jets’ O-line has a good, young foundation,” Membou mentioned throughout a video name a couple of minutes after he was drafted. “I feel like adding me to it, you know, the work I’m going to put in to this organization, we’ll be very good up in the trenches.”
With the Jets coming into the draft with a number of wants, together with at proper sort out, new basic supervisor Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn opted to proceed upgrading the offensive line.
Fashanu began at each offensive sort out spots final 12 months, however performed effectively late after he took over on the left facet for the injured Tyron Smith. If Fashanu stays at left sort out, it could seem Membou would take over on the best facet.
“I had a feeling this was going to be my home,” mentioned Membou, who added he had good conversations with the Jets main as much as the draft.
The Jets have a gap at proper sort out after Morgan Moses signed with New England as a free agent final month. New York additionally has Carter Warren, Max Mitchell and Chukwuma Okorafor who may play proper sort out, however the 6-foot-4, 330-pound Membou could possibly be a plug-in and play possibility.
Membou has terrific velocity and physique management and has been spectacular as a go blocker. He was a second-team All-SEC choice final season after beginning 12 video games at proper sort out for Missouri. He additionally allowed no sacks final season as a junior and will assist present safety for brand spanking new Jets quarterback Justin Fields.
“They’re getting a mauler, for sure,” Membou mentioned. “A mauler in the run game and then in pass pro, I’m someone who’s very consistent. I’m going to make sure to keep my quarterback clean.”
Membou’s choice at No. 7 marked the primary time the Jets have taken a participant in that spot within the NFL draft.
“It’s definitely been long and was a little confusing at first because I wasn’t sure where I’d go,” Membou mentioned of his journey to the draft. “I was still debating whether I was going to go back to school or not. But in my heart, I knew I was ready. I just knew it was my time to go and I’m glad I trusted my decision.”
Glenn has mentioned he envisions an offense that features a bodily dashing assault behind the Jets’ trio of working backs with Breece Corridor, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. And Membou thinks he’ll match proper in.
“Like I said, I’m a mauler,” he mentioned. “So, whatever they need to do, it don’t matter — just run behind me, really.”
