The New England Patriots went all in on their defense in free agency after going an abysmal 4-13 last season but forgot one little thing—keeping their franchise quarterback upright. Drake Maye got sacked 34 times last year ( 52 as a team), and they finished 31st in pass block win rate.
You don’t need to be Bill Belichick in a sleeveless hoodie to know that’s a problem.
They signed veteran Morgan Moses to hold the fort, but he’s a short-term patch at best. With the fourth overall pick, New England has a chance to land its left tackle of the future. And Missouri’s Armand Membou might just be the answer.
He’s raw in some areas, but his athletic profile, violent hands, and football IQ make him one of the most intriguing offensive linemen in the class. The Pats need someone who can keep Maye upright and help reset the tone for this offense—and this kid fits that mold.
Here’s our scouting profile on the twitchy tackle out of Mizzou.
Missouri OT Armand Membou 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 325 pounds
- Recruiting: 2022 4-star, No. 502 national, No. 21 IOL
- Second Team All-SEC selection (2024)
- Ranked second in FBS in sacks in 2024 (16.5)
Positives
- Twitchy, explosive mover with the kind of body control that jumps off the tape—rare fluidity for someone over 300 pounds
- Independent hand usage and strike power allow him to shut down edge rushers once engaged; plays with a noticeable mean streak
- Processes stunts and blitzes like a seasoned pro—rare mental poise for a 20-year-old tackle prospect
- Athletic enough to reach block-wide techniques and climb to the second level with ease, perfect fit for zone-heavy run schemes
Membou has all the raw tools the Pats could want in a long-term tackle prospect. He’s quick off the snap, light on his feet, and has serious grip strength once he locks on. What separates him from other athletic tackles is how coordinated he is—his hands and feet stay in sync, and he knows how to vary his pass sets to keep rushers guessing.
He’s not just athletic—he’s nasty. Membou looks to bury defenders once he gets leverage and finishes through the whistle. His tape shows flashes of dominance, and he rarely looks out of control despite his aggressive style. There’s also a level of mental sharpness to his game that’s hard to teach. He reads blitzes well and rarely falls for bait in pass pro. The traits are there for a plug-and-play lineman with upside.
Negatives
- Slightly undersized for a prototypical NFL tackle, and some teams might view him as a better fit at guard long-term
- Can get overeager trying to match speed rushers—occasional lunging causes him to lose his base and balance
- Still refining strike timing and aiming points in the run game; inconsistent drive-blocking technique leads to some missed opportunities
As toolsy as Membou is, there are a few technical kinks he’ll need to clean up. He doesn’t always keep his feet running through contact, especially on drive blocks, and some longer defenders can out-reach and control him. He also tends to get aggressive in space and will occasionally overrun his target.
The bigger question is where he fits long-term. At 6-foot-3, he’s below the typical threshold for NFL tackles, and some evaluators will project him as a guard. But his tape and traits suggest he can hold up just fine on the edge—especially in today’s more athletic-friendly offensive schemes.
Armand Membou NFL Player Comparison: Harold Landry III
- Primary Comp: Rashawn Slater
- Alternative: Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Floor Comp: Kelvin Beachum
A clean comp for Membou is Rashawn Slater. Both are slightly undersized tackles with top-end movement skills, strong hands, and the football IQ to survive early in the league. Membou, like Slater, wins with balance and processing rather than just brute size.
If Membou doesn’t stick at tackle, a transition to guard like Alijah Vera-Tucker could also be in the cards—he’s built for it. At worst, you’re looking at someone in the Kelvin Beachum range: a high-upside athlete who needs technical refinement but can become a starter in time.
Armand Membou 2025 NFL Draft Grade: 1st-round
If the Patriots want a tone-setter on offense with legitimate left tackle upside, Membou is the kind of bet that makes sense. He’s still raw in spots, but the physical profile, football IQ, and finishing ability check all the boxes for a long-term starter. Early Day 1 is absolutely in play.