After hiring a new regime, it is typical for them to want to establish their own identity within the organization.
Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey began that process after each was hired in January. After the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jets believed they drafted players who fit their overall culture and mission.
“The number one thing is we really have guys that fit the brand of who we’re going to be,” Glenn said after the conclusion of Day 3 of the draft.
“That was something that we talked about, even starting in free agency to the draft, and we’re very intentional about guys who we want to be a part of this organization, and I would say the same thing when it comes to coaches also, everyone fits, and we want to continue that trend because once you do that, the core of each person is the same. We might look different, we might act different, but the core of everyone here is the same, and that’s what we want to try to do.”
Glenn has yet to coach a game with the Jets. So, what exactly will the team’s football brand be?
“Tough, physical, violent, aggressive, a resilient attitude,” he said. “We continue to get guys like that, I mean, you’ll start to see the brand show up on the grass.”
It is unknown how Glenn’s and Mougey’s tenure with the Jets will ultimately end. However, they believe the seven players they selected during this year’s draft will positively affect a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010 and finished with a winning record since 2015.
During the first two days of the draft, the Jets selected Missouri right tackle Armand Membou, LSU tight end Mason Taylor, and Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas. On the final day, they drafted Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith, Alabama safety Malachi Moore, Miami linebacker Francisco Mauigoa, and Miami pass rusher Tyler Baron.
The Jets will ultimately be judged by their selection of Membou at seventh overall. Some draft experts expected them to draft Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, given the lack of offensive weapons following the departures of Davante Adams and Tyler Conklin.
If Glenn and the Jets want a tough, physical, and violent football team, Membou certainly represents that. He is a punishing blocker who plays with an edge and loves to flatten defenders at the first, second, and third blocking levels.
Membou is also a powerful blocker who is technically sound, which allows him to give up very few pressures. During his three seasons at Missouri, Membou allowed three sacks. That includes his final season, in which Membou didn’t allow a sack and only eight pressures in 827 pass-blocking snaps.
“I’d just say I’m very explosive,” Membou said. “I create a lot of good movement in the run game, and I’m very consistent in pass pro. I wouldn’t really say nothing for weaknesses right now, I’m just trying to improve my overall game once I get here.”
The Jets’ offensive line has been a point of discussion every season. Last year, the unit mainly stayed healthy, but Olu Fashanu was inserted as the starter at left tackle after Tyron Smith suffered a season-ending neck injury.
The Jets’ offensive line was a middle-of-the-road unit last season, allowing 40 sacks, which ranked 17th in the league. Glenn himself understands how the trenches set the tone for the team. While with the Saints as their defensive backs coach, they selected Ryan Ramczyk in the first round. Then, when he became the Lions’ defensive coordinator in 2021, coach Dan Campbell drafted Penei Sewell, coincidentally with the seventh overall pick, like Membou.
“I’m a firm believer that you start it inside out, Glenn said. “So if we can build our line, just as much as our defensive line, also, that only helps you as a team.
“It helps your quarterback, it helps your running backs, it helps your passing game, and it just creates an identity within your team that you’re trying to make sure that every team, when they watch film, they see that. So it’s important for us to make sure that we continue to look at that and continue to do that.”
Taylor and Thomas also both represent a physical style of play. Not only can Taylor be effective as a pass catcher who can move the chains, but he is a solid in-line blocker who can help out on passing and running downs. Thomas is a cornerback who enjoys disrupting receivers in coverage and is a willing participant in stopping the run.
After selecting offensive players with two of their first three picks, the Jets mainly focused on defense on Day 3. The Jets’ defense has been a top-five unit each of the last three seasons. But Glenn says it is good to have depth in case injuries arise.
“Malachi (Moore) was a guy that, I talked to Brian Branch before the Draft, and he gave me some really good insight on that player,” Glenn said. “Actually, he was the starter right before Branch actually ended up getting the job, he had an injury. Him being a captain that tells what he is, so he’s going to come in and have a chance to compete for a safety spot. When it comes to Kiko (Mauigoa), Kiko’s a smart, heady, aggressive, physical linebacker that’s going to get a chance to go in and compete for a linebacker spot.
“Plus, he has special teams value, along with Malachi the same thing, and I see the same with our rusher (Baron). He’s done a really good job as far as pass rush, but again he’s going to be able to play special teams for us, so listen you need like good quality depth on your team, so if anything happened to any of our starters, these guys can come in be able to play for us.”
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