There’s a prevailing narrative amongst New York Jets fans right now.

To many fans, the team may never succeed because of the front office’s inability to bring in quality players. Too many missed first-round picks for quarterbacks, along with a boatload of botched free-agent signings, have left fans in a pessimistic mindset.

For all the mistakes the organization has made under previous regimes, though, there should still be room for some positivity.

Much of that optimism can stem directly from the team’s first-ever draft pick under its current general manager, Darren Mougey.

Jets draft history under Mougey

While the Jets had a brutal 2025 season overall, their first-year GM should have earned some good will from fans for his inaugural draft class. This is especially true because of the performance of his first-round pick.

Mougey’s first draft pick was a resounding success. With the seventh overall pick, Mougey selected offensive tackle Armand Membou. The Missouri product had a standout rookie year, helping to stabilize what ended up being a solid offensive line for the Jets all season.

Membou finished his rookie year with a 72.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, the best among rookie right tackles and second-best among all rookie offensive linemen. It was enough to instantly make him a quality starter, as the 21-year-old’s overall grade placed 15th among all qualified right tackles.

Instant production from Membou was never a given. He was a late riser in the draft process due to strong results at the combine and his pro day.

That further affirms Membou’s status as a feather in Mougey’s cap. Pinpointing Membou was no easy decision in the seventh overall slot. Membou’s immediate success proves that Mougey can locate top-end talent in a part of the draft where the organization cannot afford to miss.

It’s why the fan base should have some faith that, whatever the Jets decide to do with the second overall pick, whether it be trading back, drafting a quarterback, or taking the best non-QB, Mougey will come away with the right decision.

Not every decision from Mougey was correct in his first season. But finding premier talent in the draft round is a key part of his job for the Jets. It’s something head coach Aaron Glenn touted just last week in the team’s end-of-year press conference.

And while not every draft pick from 2025 worked out, the team should feel confident they have the right mindset to make a key pick in 2026.

For once, the fans should agree.