Gang Green Nation
The grades continue to come in.
Grades for the 2025 NFL Draft continue to come in. As we all know, Draft grades really aren’t accurate until we are at least two years out. As we also know, Draft grades are stupid...unless they praise the Jets.
Here are some additional Draft grades, whether praising the Jets or not.
New York Jets: B
Top needs entering the draft: Offensive tackle, tight end and wide receiver
The Aaron Rodgers era is over in New York, and the Jets are on to Justin Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. But to have any hope of avoiding a 15th straight season without the playoffs, they had to get more help on offense around Fields at the draft. They were 20th in yards per play last season (5.2), and the arrow wasn’t necessarily pointing up coming out of free agency after losing Davante Adams, Morgan Moses and Tyler Conklin.
New GM Darren Mougey and new coach Aaron Glenn didn’t waste any time, though, tackling one of the roster’s biggest issues with Armand Membou. He will replace Moses at right tackle, joining Olu Fashanu to form a really good tackle duo. You might see “right tackle” and think run blocker, and yes, he’s good in that department. But Membou also has the quickness and pop to improve the pass protection in a hurry.
Looking at the Jets’ options in Round 1, I was between Membou and tight end Tyler Warren. New York went Membou, but it got Mason Taylor on Friday. Consider that Jets tight ends averaged 8.1 yards per reception last season, last in the league. Fields excels at throwing to his tight ends, and Taylor is a reliable pass catcher. He has 6-foot-5 size to come down with end zone throws and the route-running traits to pick up key first downs.
Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas is strong in press coverage and has the speed to stick on receivers. The Jets will use him opposite Sauce Gardner. Getting him at No. 73 represents value, too. I had Thomas ranked 47th, and he probably would have been a first-rounder if he ran better at his pro day.
Those three picks were the start of an “A” draft class. But the Day 3 picks didn’t muster much. Receiver Arian Smith has speed, but his hands aren’t consistent. I had him ranked as WR33. Jalen Royals, Elic Ayomanor and Jaylin Lane were still available when Smith went No. 110. Edge rusher Tyler Baron is a decent fifth-rounder, but the Jets didn’t maximize those four picks in the fourth and fifth rounds.
4. New York Jets (A-)
Notable that they hired a defensive-minded coach – and one of the best corners in franchise history – in Aaron Glenn only to opt for an offensive-centric draft, and one that seemed modeled on...
