Patriots draft profile: Armand Membou should firmly be in consideration at No. 4

Membou is one of the best offensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft.

As the New England Patriots have used the early portion of the offseason to upgrade their roster, a hole continues to remain at the left tackle position. New England has been on the hunt for a long term answer on what is now Drake Maye’s blindside for multiple seasons and perhaps could find it atop this year’s draft.

Let’s therefore take a closer look at Armand Membou to find out what he would bring to the table.

Hard facts

Name: Armand Membou

Position: Offensive tackle

School: University of Missouri

Opening day age: 21 (03/27/2004)

Measurements: 6’4 1/4”, 332 pounds, 9 3/4” hand size, 33 1/2” arm length, 82” wingspan, 4.91 40-yard dash, 9.89 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

Career statistics: 35 games (29 starts) | 2,099 offensive snaps, 134 special teams snaps | 3 sacks allowed (0 in 2024), 26 pressures (23 hurries) | 11 penalties

Accolades: Second-team All-SEC (2024)

A growth spurt prior to his junior year of high school at Lee’s Summitt North quickly put Membou on college team’s radars. After moving to right tackle his senior year, Membou remained listed as an offensive guard prospect where he stayed in state committing to the University of Missouri.

Membou quickly saw the field his true freshman season appearing in 10 games — with some work early in the year as a jumbo tight end — before drawing four starts down the stretch at right tackle. With Javon Foster holding down left tackle duties for the Tigers, Membou’s play earned him the starting right tackle spot entering next season.

In his first season as a full-time starter, Membou started all 13 games at right tackle and allowed just two sacks throughout the season. His work on the right side played a large role in Missouri’s line being named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award that recognizes the most outstanding offensive line unit in the nation.

Remaining at right tackle for his junior season, Membou’s play reached another level along another strong Tiger’s offensive line. Starting all 12 regular season games, Membou did not allow a sack and he surrendered just eight total pressures en route to earning Second Team All-SEC honors.

After forgoing his senior season to declare for the draft, Membou accepted his invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl but was forced to pull out due to a stomach flu. He later attended the NFL Combine where he put forth one of the best testing performances among offensive lineman.

Draft profile

Expected round: 1 (Top 10) | Consensus big board: No. 8 | Patriots meeting: Attended pro day

Strengths: If you’re looking for a power and athletic tackle, look no further than Membou. The 20-year-old has a unique build at just 6-foot-4, but has the necessary length and strength to excel at the position. He plays strong and with good technique in pass protection and can also move defenders in the run game.

Membou’s athletic profile is his true gift as he moves extremely well for someone who weighed in at 332 pounds. At the NFL Combine, Membou posted a 4.91 40 time and top speed of 20.28 miles per hour — both the fastest among any offensive tackle in attendance. According to NFL Research, his 40 was the fastest among any offensive lineman that’s at least 6-4 and 330 pounds since 2003.

The testing numbers translate to the game field, as Membou is explosive out of his stance and has the necessary range to beat rushers out wide in pass sets and on zone runs.

Weaknesses: There are not many holes in Membou’s game but he did have trouble dealing with power at times in pass protection. Improved technique at the next level will likely correct those issues.

While Membou has very good length at the tackle position, some teams may view him best as a guard due to his thicker build at 6-foot-4. There’s nothing on his tape or based on his skillset that says he can’t stick at tackle at the NFL level, however.

Patriots preview

What would be his role? Despite playing right tackle throughout his collegiate career, Membou has all the necessary traits needed to attempt to flip over to the left side. While there is obvious risk with the change, his athletic testing does mirror Trent Williams and Tristan Wirfs, who recently made the switch from right to left tackle. All three are among four offensive lineman ever to record a 30-plus inch vertical and run a sub-5.00 second 40 at 315 pounds or heavier.

If flipping sides does not work for Membou, then New England would at least have their long term answer at right tackle with Morgan Moses entering his age 35 season next year.

What is his growth potential? Membou will soon turn 21 and has been playing the position for just a handful of years. The early returns have been exceptional and there is still some room for improvement with his technique at such a young age. He has a chance to be a premiere tackle in the league on either side of the line.

Does he have positional versatility? As noted above, all 29 of Membou’s collegiate starts came at the right tackle position. He has logged roughly 75 snaps as a jumbo tight end or on unbalanced lines on the left side of the line during his career while Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz has said the tackle cross trains at left tackle behind the scenes during the year.

Why the Patriots? Offensive tackle remains the biggest need on the Patriots roster and Membou has a case to be the top tackle in this year’s draft — which includes a transition to the left side where he could be an immediate contributor.

Why not the Patriots? If the Patriots have hesitations about moving Membou to left tackle they may opt for a natural at the position with Moses holding down the right spot this season. That could still include Will Campbell at No. 4 overall — or going best player available with Travis Hunter and/or Abdul Carter if they fall.

One-sentence verdict: Membou’s athletic ability and raw power should firmly put him into consideration with the No. 4 overall pick, especially as he has the makeup of switching to left tackle.

What do you think about Armand Membou as a potential Patriots target? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.