The New York Jets need more from their 2025 rookie draft class.
They might be ready to push them all onto the field in Week 4.
Outside of seventh-overall selection Armand Membou, the Jets have seen middling results from the other six players from their first-year class. Whether due to veterans playing above them or issues outside their control, New York hasn’t received the sweeping production many would have hoped.
That may all be about to change, though.
Jets Rookie Review: Mason Taylor
New York has been patient with many of its rookies this season. When the Jets took the field in Week 1, only Membou was considered a starter and every-down player.
Thanks to several injuries, though, even more rookies are set to make appearances for the team moving forward.
At the top of that list is second-round tight end Mason Taylor. A popular draft pick due to his NFL pedigree and career at LSU, Taylor has struggled to make much of a profound impact on the Jets so far. He has recorded just six catches for 43 yards in three games with New York.
While some have grown concerned with the lack of production from a second-round pick, head coach Aaron Glenn made it clear that the lack of numbers had nothing to do with the work Taylor was putting in.
“We got to get Mason (Taylor) the ball,” Glenn said. “We’re doing everything we can to make sure we do that.”
Taylor’s blocking, while not his strength, has improved since he got to the NFL. It is normal for young tight ends to take more time to develop in their first season compared to other positions.
In the case of the 42nd overall pick, though, he seems to be coming along fine. New York just needs to find a way to get him the ball in the first place.
Kiko Mauigoa
Taylor wasn’t the only rookie addressed by Glenn today to the media.
With Quincy Williams and Marcelino McCrary-Ball being placed on injured reserve this week, New York is turning to fifth-round linebacker Kiko Mauigoa to help stabilize the position alongside captain Jamien Sherwood.
“He’s been doing a really good job for us, especially on the special teams side,” Glenn said of Mauigoa. “He has to grow up quick, and he’s been growing up quick for us, and he’s been playing a good amount of ball for us on the defensive sound as our SAM backer.
“So, he’s going to come in, he’s going to get a chance to play.”
It’s always unfair to think a Day 3 player must come onto a team and play strong football, but injuries are forcing New York’s hand with Mauigoa. The Miami product has consistently earned more and more playing time as the weeks have gone on, though.
Glenn seems ready to throw even more responsibility over to the rookie linebacker now.
AZ Thomas
For every Mauigoa or Taylor, there is also an AZ Thomas. The team originally selected Thomas in the third round in April, and he was considered to be a player who would sit for most of his rookie campaign. With veterans like Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, and Michael Carter II on the roster, there really wasn’t any room for Thomas to have a role on the field early in the year.
As is the case with many rookie players, that initial projection may be incorrect.
Thomas played well in the limited snaps he saw in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay. During that action, he impressed Glenn enough for the coach to understand exactly what he needs for further improvement.
“He’s a big corner, he does a really good job in press coverage, he can run, he has game speed,” Glenn explained. “So, any time he gets a chance to play in the game, it’s only going to help us, because he’s going to help us quite a bit at some point.”
With many current starters in New York’s secondary struggling, it may not be long before Thomas is given a chance to start consistently for the Jets.
Add in increased roles for wide receiver Arian Smith, a start from safety Malachi Moore, and the continued play of Membou, and the concerns over New York’s rookie class may be a bit of an overreaction.
At least to this point in their first seasons together.