We are officially one month away from the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26). Now that free agency is two weeks old, roster movement around the league has slowed slightly. However, the Jets still have several significant needs at a few roster spots, including right tackle and tight end. This offseason, th e Jets lost veteran starters at both positions. On March 10, the day the free agent negotiation period began, Morgan Moses agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with the rival Patriots. Last week, Tyler Conklin agreed to a one-year contract with the Chargers. Both moves leave the Jets with major offensive holes ahead of the draft. This doesn’t even include the need for help at wide receiver after the Jets released Davante Adams earlier this month. With their current areas of need, the Jets will have a major decision to make at seventh overall. Last year, they faced a similar dilemma when they ultimately drafted an offensive lineman instead of an exceptional tight end. With Brock Bowers on the board, the Jets and Vikings swapped the 10th and 11th overall picks. Minnesota selected J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 and the Jets took tackle Olu Fashanu instead of Bowers. The Raiders selected Bowers at No. 13, a move that angered many Jets fans at the time. Fashanu played sparingly and started seven games after Tyron Smith suffered a season-ending neck injury last November. He was solid during his limited time at left tackle. In 534 snaps, Fashanu allowed one sack and committed seven penalties. Meanwhile, Bowers had the best rookie tight end season in NFL history after registering 112 catches, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns for the Raiders. The Jets now have a similar scenario this offseason, and a different regime will make the choice. Gone are general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh after both were fired during a 5-12 season. New Jets general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn will build the Jets uniquely, and I believe that will start in the trenches. ROUND 1, PICK 7: OL ARMAND MEMBOU, MISSOURI During his three seasons at Missouri, Membou was a two-year starter at right tackle. At 6-4, 332 pounds, Membou has excellent quickness for his size, tremendous power and the nastiness to take on and win his one-on-one matchups with defensive ends and tackles consistently at the next level. At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month, Membou improved his stock by putting together a stellar performance. He ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash with a 10-second split time of 1.74. The Jets brought in Chukwuma Okorafor this offseason but do not have a long-term solution at right tackle after Moses’ departure. When Glenn became the Lions defensive coordinator in 2021 after Dan Campbell was hired as coach, they decided to start their regime in the trenches by selecting right tackle Penei Sewell. Detroit had several holes that offseason, but drafting Sewell was a wise choice, and it has worked out to this point. During his four seasons in the NFL, Sewell has been a three-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time first-team All-Pro. Selecting Membou probably won’t be popular among the Jets fan base, but it is the right call in this instance. The 2025 tight-end group is loaded with talented prospects, and the Jets can find a starter on Day 2. The tackle class isn’t as strong, and drafting Membou would help the Jets solidify the tackle position for possibly the next decade with Fashanu already in place. ROUND 2, PICK 42: MASON TAYLOR, LSU Penn State’s Tyler Warren is by far the best tight end in this year’s draft. But other tight-end prospects could excel in Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s system. One of them is a player whose father, Jason, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and played with the Jets during their last playoff appearance in 2010. Taylor is a smooth route runner who can naturally find holes in defensive coverages. In his final season at LSU, Taylor finished with 55 receptions for 546 yards and two touchdowns. In three seasons for the Tigers, Taylor registered 129 catches for 1,308 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-5, 250 pounds, Taylor is a reliable pass catcher who can immediately contribute to a Jets offense in need of offensive weapons. ROUND 3, PICK 73: JACK BECH, TCU Speaking of offensive weapons, Bech would be a good compliment to Garrett Wilson and his skill set. He is a good pass catcher and an excellent route runner who knows how to separate from defenders. At 6-1, 212 pounds, Bech will be a Day 2 selection because of his lack of top-end speed. But what he lacks in speed, Bech makes up for with his physical play by jumping and grabbing the ball consistently at its highest point over cornerbacks and safeties. He needs to work on his down-the-field blocking, which can be improved at the next level with coaching. The Jets need a consistent possession receiver, and Bech could eventually be a reliable WR2 starter. ...read more read less