This weekend marked the NFL Draft, the sports world’s premiere HR event. How do the three Tigers selected fit in their new homes?
The Missouri Tigers just landed three players in the NFL draft, including a top ten selection. How do each of these picks fit on their new teams?
Armand Membou – New York Jets
Round 1 (7th overall)
The first round of the 2025 NFL draft featured a Missouri Tiger in the top ten, which was not surprising. The fact that it was right tackle Armand Membou who was selected, and not former all-galaxy recruit Luther Burden, was a departure from the predictions of the previous three years. But as the draft season waxed and waned, it became apparent that Membou’s stock was rising, eventually surpassing Burden’s.
Membou joins a rebuilding Jets franchise that has developed a laughingstock reputation. New head coach Aaron Glenn is a well-respected defensive coordinator, and is trying to build a ball control, run heavy offense to support his defense. Membou became the fourth offensive lineman selected in the first round in the last six drafts. That rate has only been matched by the Barry Sanders-era Lions and the turn-of-the-century Seahawks, anchored by Hall of Fame tackle Walter Jones. The Jets will look to repeat the Super Bowl title success of the latter, with a new set of big men all 28 years of age or younger.
A big question for Membou was if he would move to left tackle in the NFL, or stay on the right side, where he played all three years in Columbia. His landing spot answered that: the Jets took Olu Fashanu in the first round last year, and after starting the season on the bench, solidified himself as the future LT by the end of the campaign. Membou will stay on the right, and the Jets have a pair of long-term bookend tackles to build their offense around.
That offense will be run-based. The pro game is always ebbing and flowing. As passing attacks, RPO’s, and outside zone offenses rose in popularity, defensive personnel became smaller and faster. Positional versatility and two-deep safety looks became all the range. Now, offenses are responding to lighter boxes and lighter defenders by bringing back the run game. By selecting another mauler in the run game at tackle in Membou, the Jets show they will bring back power football.
Membou’s selection seventh overall is a testament to his hard work and talent, and it is also a sign of things to come for a Jets team looking to establish a physical offense as a centerpiece of their rebuild.
Luther Burden – Chicago Bears
Round 2 (39th Overall)
The rumors that NFL teams were falling out of love with Luther Burden became a reality on draft day. The one time first-round lock slipped into the second round to the Chicago Bears, helmed by first year head coach, Ben Johnson. The Bears have been an offensively challenged franchise for almost a century now, but Burden is the latest piece in the team’s efforts to overthrow their reputation.
Burden will not be under pressure to produce in his rookie season. The Bears already have second year sensation, Rome Odunze, at wide out, as well as veteran star DJ Moore. With their first round pick the Bears selected tight end Colton Loveland, meaning Burden will be the fourth option among pass catchers for Caleb Williams as a rookie. This soft landing will allow him to acclimate to the professional game, and prove wrong those who had doubts about his intangibles.
Slipping out of the first round was disappointing for Burden and his backers. But he has a chance to be a part of something exciting. The Chicago offensive renaissance with Johnson’s schemes, Williams play making, and this new cadre of receivers — including Luther — promises to be one of the premiere storylines in football this season.
Marcus Bryant – New England Patriots
Round 7 (220th Overall)
Mizzou’s third and final draft selection was a bit of a surprise. Bryant did not participate in the scouting combine, unlike Theo Wease and Brady Cook. However, at least one team felt his measurables made him too enticing of a prospect to pass on. Bryant is unlikely to see the field this year as the Patriots grabbed two new starting tackles this off-season, franchise LT Will Campbell with the 4th overall pick and veteran Morgan Moses in free agency.
The selection of Marcus Bryant, the one-time SMU transfer, is a victory lap for offensive line coach Brandon Jones. When Bryant committed to the Tigers last offseason, he specifically mentioned Jones’ tutelage as a key selling point, and one of the reasons he chose to finish his collegiate career at Missouri. After four years in a Group of Five conference, Bryant wanted to challenge himself in the best league in the country while developing his pro potential under Jonese’ watchful eye.
Undrafted Free Agents
- Kristian Williams and Johnny Walker Jr to the Denver Broncos
- Theo Wease and Nate Noel to the Miami Dolphins
- Brady Cook to the NY Jets
Free Agent Camp Invites
- Trey Flint to the Kansas City Chiefs
- Cam’Ron Johnson to the Cleveland Browns