Content available exclusively for subscribers
Sometimes we forget how young some of these players are when they arrive in the NFL.
When the Jets picked offensive tackle Armand Membou seventh overall out of Missouri in 2025, he was just 21 years old and was that age throughout his rookie season.
He turned 22 in March of 2026.
Can you imagine starting as a 21-year-old rookie in the NFL, a true grown man’s league, at that age, especially in the trenches, where the biggest and most powerful men in the league hang out?
And, for the most part, he held his own.
He was far from perfect last season and needs to cut down on penalties, but physically, he was pretty darn impressive for such a young rookie. The Jets had myriad big runs to the right side behind Membou.
He’s a true road grader as a run blocker.
But expect even more from him in his second year.
Membou entered the NFL pretty darn strong for as young as he was. So often, rookie lineman need to get a lot stronger. He was already pretty darn strong.
After he was drafted, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “You really can’t get through him because he’s just so strong and has such a firm base.”
That comment was in the spring of 2025, so if he thought he was powerful back then, can you imagine how powerful he’s going to be this season after his first full NFL off-season conditioning program? Remember, when rookies come in, a big chunk of the off-season conditioning program is already over.
He also had an entire off-season program to improve his technique under the watchful eye of the Jets’ underrated offensive line coach and new Jets assistant O-Line coach Al Netter, a former Northwestern offensive tackle, who followed Frank Reich from Stanford.
So expect an even stronger player with improved technique in Year Two.
And a more confident player.
Last year, when you interviewed Membou, he was a man of few words.
This year, during a press conference this spring, he was more effusive and expansive in his answers.
Also, if you saw the Jets’ recent media day on YouTube, or on their website, you saw that one of the “stars” of the day was Membou.
For the uninitiated, media day is when the players shoot headshots and videos for the networks and for the team to use on the scoreboard.
And when the team asked Membou to do a video for the scoreboard, to use on game days, I have to admit, I was shocked at what I saw, just based on his reserved nature as a rookie.
He screamed, “Let’s go,” to the fans, so enthusiastically, and with such energy that I think he shocked the director of the video.
I’m not sure anybody saw this coming.
The reason I bring this up is to point out how much more comfortable he is, entering Year Two, much more comfortable in his NFL skin, with a year under his belt.
So not only should you expect a big jump in Membou in Year Two as a player, but also as a team leader.
As a player, one thing I was saying during the spring watching practice with film guru Robby Sabo of Jets X-Factor was how impressive Membou’s pad level is. Not granted, at 6-4, he isn’t the tallest tackler, but I’m telling you there are plenty of 6-4 linemen who still have pad level issues.
This guy is such an easy bender that any edge-rusher can rarely bend under him.
Jeremiah made an interesting player comp for Membou that Jets fans should love.
“I was with the Philadelphia Eagles when Jason Peters was there – they are body doubles for one another with what they look like,” Jeremiah said.
Peters, who had other stops, but played 12 years in Philadelphia, made 9 Pro Bowls. He played tackle at 6-4, 328.
Don’t be shocked, Membou takes a quantum leap in Year Two.
June 30, 2026
Premium will return by 9:30 pm (or sooner) on Wednesday.
