The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2025 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the New York Jets, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the New York Jets rookies?
- Armand Membou (OT, Missouri)
- Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
- Azareye'h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
- Arian Smith (WR, Georgia)
- Malachi Moore (S, Alabama)
- Francisco Mauigoa (LB, Miami)
- Tyler Baron (EDGE, Miami)
New York Jets Draft Class Grade:
The New York Jets received an A- draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Jets Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The selection of Armand Membou (first round) looks like one of the best fits of the first round, as he will immediately step into the right tackle job. Ideally, Membou and last year’s first-round selection Olu Fashanu give the Jets quality bookend tackles for the foreseeable future.
Membou’s size and athleticism have made him productive in pass protection. He had a strong 1.9% blown-block rate when his quarterback took a traditional dropback, ranked seventh among Power Four right tackles.
Mason Taylor (second round) should also step into a starting role at tight end.
Although Taylor lacks the elite athletic traits of many early tight end selections, he’s a rare, well-rounded prospect at the position who can contribute as a receiver and blocker.
Taylor should immediately be a reliable possession receiver for Justin Fields. On throws within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, he caught 44 of 49 catchable targets last season at LSU.
Azareye’h Thomas (third round) was initially viewed as a potential first-round pick but dropped due to some mediocre offseason testing numbers. However, his ball-hawk skills should fit nicely into Aaron Glenn’s secondary.
Based on route adjusted data, Thomas’ ball-hawk rate was 20% above expected or higher in each of his three seasons at Florida State and exactly 55% above expected in each of his two seasons as a starter.
Ball-hawk production can fluctuate due to luck, but consistently posting numbers far above expected is an indication of a skillset that should translate to the NFL.
Arian Smith (fourth round) adds some needed speed to the receiving corps, but his inconsistent production at Georgia raises doubts about his immediate impact.
Expect Smith to compete for targets on underneath routes to take advantage of his ability to produce after the catch.
Based on route adjusted numbers, Smith generated 19% more yards after catch than expected in 2024. Unfortunately, his route adjusted catch rate was a dismal 11% below expected, ranked 51st out of 55 qualified SEC receivers.
Malachi Moore (fourth round), a two-time team captain, lacks ideal size and athletic traits, but has drawn praise for his leadership skills on and off the field at Alabama.
Moore has plenty of special teams experience to find a role there while providing some depth at both safety positions.
Kiko Mauigoa (fifth round) was a team captain at Miami and has played on every special teams unit throughout his career.
Mauigoa will certainly play a key role on special teams but might see some action at linebacker as well due to a lack of depth at the position. Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams return as starters, but Mauigoa could be the backup at either spot.
For Mauigoa to develop into more than just a special teams contributor, he’ll need to clean up his 17% broken/missed tackle rate.
Tyler Baron (fifth round) is a developmental prospect who might offer some value as a situational pass-rusher in the short term.
Baron generated an 18% pressure rate off the edge in 2023 at Tennessee and 16% last year at Miami.
At this stage of his development, Baron wins with pure speed, and will need to get stronger to stay on the field.
With Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, and Micheal Clemons locked into their roles, there’s no path to immediate action for Baron, which will give him time to develop.
The Jets mostly played it safe with this draft class, focusing on high-character players with easily projectable skill sets. It’s not the most exciting approach to the draft, but a smart choice for a first-year GM and head coach trying to set the tone for their tenure.
This class has the potential to help lay the groundwork for a shift in the team identity in New York.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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