In their latest three-round mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates predict the New York Jets will address two glaring needs in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL draft. More excitingly, Aaron Glenn‘s team fills a significant, under-the-radar need in the third round.
At No. 7, the Jets select Missouri right tackle Armound Membou, only to then follow it up with Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo and Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen.
Here are the top 10 selections of ESPN’s latest mock draft:
- Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
- Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
- New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
- New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
- Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- New York Jets: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
- Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia
- New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
- Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
No. 7 overall: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
“The Jets must provide new quarterback Justin Fields with adequate time to throw — he has proved effective in the past when he has a clean pocket,” wrote Yates. “Membou’s tenacity and pass protection acumen make him a hand-in-glove fit in New York. He has started 30 games over his career, and he allowed just one sack last season.”
Membou has emerged as one of the top risers in the draft following an impressive showing at the NFL combine. Weighing in at 331 pounds, he clocked a 4.91-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 9.89 Relative Athletic Score. His athleticism was on full display with a 34-inch vertical leap and a 115-inch broad jump.
Since January, the Missouri standout has climbed from No. 32 to No. 8 on Mock Draft Database’s consensus board, with many now projecting him to be selected by the Jets at No. 7 overall.
As Missouri’s right tackle in 2024, Membou was a dominant force, not allowing a single sack or hit over 411 pass-blocking snaps. He gave up only eight pressures and earned an impressive 87.6 grade for run blocking from Pro Football Focus.
Although the Jets added Chukwuma Okorafor in free agency and have Max Mitchell and Carter Warren under contract, the team remains uncertain about the starting right tackle position. Membou would fill that void for New York, securing the right side of the line and strengthening the team’s offensive front as a whole.
No. 42 overall: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
“I had this second-round match in my mock draft last week, too. Arroyo could use his size and speed to get open for Justin Fields,” wrote Kiper Jr. “He caught seven touchdown passes last season in a true breakout year.”
Arroyo, a four-star recruit from Independence High School in Frisco, Texas, committed to Miami, where he played all four years of his college career.
As a freshman in 2021, Arroyo appeared in 12 games, starting one, and totaled five catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.
His sophomore season in 2022 was cut short by a torn ACL after just four games.
In 2023, Arroyo again struggled with injuries, playing in only six games and accumulating 77 yards over two seasons.
However, the 2024 campaign marked a comeback. Fully healthy, the Texas native played in 13 games, finishing with 590 yards and seven touchdowns on 35 receptions.
Ranked No. 60 on the consensus big board, Arroyo would provide valuable depth for the Jets’ tight end group, offering both a reliable receiving option and a red-zone target.
No. 73 overall: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
A four-star recruit hailing from Manor High School in Manor, Texas, Umanmielen initially committed to Florida and spent his first four college seasons as a Gator before transferring to Ole Miss ahead of the 2024 season for a redshirt senior year.
Throughout all five of his collegiate seasons, Umanmielen compiled 136 total tackles (40 for loss) with 25.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 57 total games.
As a Rebel during this 2024 season, the Texas native really made his presence felt, posting 37 total tackles (14 for loss) with 10.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, Umanmielen also posted a stellar 78.7 run defense grade per PFF.
Umanmielen, ranked No. 55 on the Mock Draft Database consensus big board, could be an ideal mid-round target for the Jets. He brings value as both a pass-rusher and run defender, and, just as significantly, he would bolster a thin rotation off the edge for Steve Wilks and Aaron Glenn.
Although the Jets have spent two of their last three first-round picks on edge rushers, Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald, depth at the position remains a need for Gang Green.
McDonald still has strides to make, particularly against the run. Johnson has shown promise as a pass rusher, but he’s working his way back from an Achilles injury, and his production for the 2025 season remains uncertain.
Behind them, the depth chart features Micheal Clemons, Eric Watts, Braiden McGregor, and Rashad Weaver, a group that lacks proven production.
