First-Rounder Impressing Teammates and Coaches with His Approach

Eric Allen

It's hard to sneak up on people when you were selected No. 7 overall in the NFL Draft and you stand 6-4 and 332 pounds. ButArmand Membouopened eyes this spring in Florham Park.

"Membou's been somebody who's really surprised," said C Joe Tippmann during mandatory minicamp. "Just being a rookie, coming in being as strong, as physical, as fast as he is and along with the learning that I didn't expect him to have. He's come along really well."

After the Jets drafted Membou in April, HC Aaron Glenn noted the Missouri product athletically was "off the charts." Membou, who posted a 34-inch vertical and a 9-7 broad jump, was one of four O-linemen ever to surpass a 30-inch vertical and run a sub-5.0 40 at 315-plus pounds at the Combine. He didn't give up any sacks or QB hits in 411 pass-blocking snaps last season and entered the pros hungry after reportedly signing a four-year deal worth $31.9 million.

"Membou's doing outstanding," Glenn said last week. "He's working his butt off. He's learning every day, too."

OC Tanner Engstrand added: "He loves football, he loves football, and that's what you want. We want a team of a bunch of guys that love football and that's been glaring for me with that player."

Playing in 35 games at Missouri while appearing in 2,243 snaps, Membou started 25 games at RT the past two seasons for the Tigers and is competing to start there with the Jets.

"The biggest thing is they drafted me because of the player I am, so just being me every day and just showing up with a positive attitude and a growth mentality," he said.

Pointing to bothChukwuma OkoraforandOlu Fashanu, Membou is getting help with his technique and development. While Okorafor started 33 games at right tackle for the Steelers from 2020-22, Fashanu, selected No. 11 overall in 2024, started 7 games in his first pro year. If things go right, Fashanu and Membou could be bookend tackles for the Jets for the next 5-10 seasons.

"Since he was a rookie last year, he's talked to me a lot about his struggles and everything and just how to make my transition easier," Membou said of Fashanu.

Jets O-line coach Steve Heiden took a practical approach in his evaluation of Membou.

"I don't take too much into the workout stuff. We've all seen the workout warriors who can't play a lick football," Heiden said. "Membou can play ball. He's a tough kid. He approaches it the right way. He's smart. Yeah, you see the movement skills, him moving around and being physical with people."

Throughout the spring, Membou received valuable reps against edge Will McDonald. Fresh off a 10.5-sack campaign, McDonald added 15 pounds to his frame while maintaining his explosion and freaky bend.

"Shout-out Membou too," said RG Alijah Vera-Tucker. "He's a rookie but him going against Will McDonald every day is great work. Iron sharpens iron and you can tell he's going to be a baller in this league."

Next month, Membou will get his first taste of an NFL training camp and the pads will come on. It will be another step for a rookie who emerged as a dominant right tackle his junior campaign in Columbia and declared for the draft last December.

"It's been pretty crazy, definitely really fun just to be able to get back to playing the game that I love," he said.