The New York Jets are at a crossroads at the seventh overall pick in the 2025 draft.
They could look to select Missouri right tackle Armand Membou with that pick, or go after Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Either pick would make plenty of sense for the organization.
There is a third option for the Jets to consider now, though. And it could come up if Membou is taken earlier in the draft than people expect.
Jets Analyst Teases Trade-Down
Rich Cimini of ESPN reported Sunday morning that if Membou was taken earlier in the draft, the team could pivot their sights to Texas tackle Kelvin Banks in a potential trade down at this point.
“Banks (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) won the Lombardi Award (best lineman in college football) and Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) in 2024,” Cimini said. “His background at left tackle (three-year starter) provides more value than Membou, according to some NFL evaluators.
“Obviously, the Jets would have no qualms about shifting Banks (or Olu Fashanu) to right tackle if they go in this direction. Banks is generally regarded as a mid- to late first-round prospect; maybe they could get him in a trade-down.”
A trade down shouldn’t be too surprising if the top tackle prospect is off the board for New York. While they have plenty of needs all along the roster, the need for the right tackle is one of the bigger ones this offseason.
Banks would need to be taught the position more than someone like Membou, who has worked almost exclusively on the right side. But with the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, and many other teams looking for ways to trade up for a quarterback, potentially, it’s not a surprise the Jets could become a team interested in a trade back.
Of course, they could target a player like Warren at seven regardless. But there’s a chance they may want to trade back, acquire some picks, and then take the tight end.
Either way, a trade down certainly seems like a real possibility for the Jets this week if their guy is off the board at seven.
