Draft day is finally here, and for months, Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou has been one of the most popular projected picks for the New York Jets at No. 7 overall.
His excellent 2024 campaign and standout NFL Combine performance helped propel him into the top-10 conversation, with many insiders and mock drafts linking him to the Jets. But now, just hours before the 2025 NFL Draft begins, the buzz around Membou may be fading, and a new name appears to be rising.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets may actually prefer Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. over Membou. While Membou remains a possible target, Cimini noted that the Jets’ decision could come down to Banks, tight end Tyler Warren, or Membou if all are still on the board.
Cimini added that he “suspects they have Banks over Membou, in part, because he has left-tackle value,” something Membou lacks. That positional versatility could prove to be the deciding factor
NY Jets eyeing Kelvin Banks Jr. over Armand Membou, per report
A three-year starter at left tackle for the Longhorns, Banks is seen by some scouts as the top offensive lineman in the class. While Membou’s stock has steadily climbed throughout the pre-draft process, it appears the Jets might be eyeing a different path in the trenches.
Banks is an excellent prospect in his own right. A native of Humble, TX — the same hometown as Jets head coach Aaron Glenn — Banks earned first-team All-American honors and was the recipient of the Lombardi Award, given to the nation’s best offensive lineman, in 2024.
Banks is a technically refined lineman with the footwork, athleticism, and body control to step in and contribute right away at the NFL level. While he still has room to grow as a run blocker, his floor in pass protection and ability to adapt to different schemes make him one of the safest and most versatile offensive line prospects in this class.
There are a couple of concerns with Banks as a fit for the Jets, though. Most notably, he only played left tackle in college — a position the Jets already addressed with last year’s first-round pick, Olu Fashanu.
That’s what makes Cimini’s assertion that the Jets might prefer Banks because of his left tackle value a bit puzzling. On top of that, some teams view Banks as a better long-term fit at guard. In fact, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler even lists him as a guard prospect (he has him as OG2) in his draft guide.
The Jets may still view Banks as a top-tier offensive tackle prospect, but the fit isn’t as clean as it might seem on the surface. If they do pass on Membou, it’ll speak volumes about how highly they value Banks’ ceiling, regardless of position.