Friday, the first day of rookie minicamp, was truly the first day of the rest of their lives for three of the Jets' draft picks -- T Armand Membou, TE Mason Taylor and WR Arian Smith. They each offered a bit of insight on their first official outings as NFL players.

Membou (Rd 1, No. 7 overall): "It was pretty cool. It's good to get my feet back wet, especially since I haven't practiced since November, so it's been a while." (He did not play in Missouri's 27-24 Music Bowl victory over Iowa in December.)

Taylor (Rd. 2, No. 42): "Getting here to New York and getting to work, it's definitely exciting. So it really just went through the whole process but definitely enjoyed it. But now it's time to go. Now it's time to work. So, I'm getting folks into everything and, you know, getting at it. So, it's been fun."

Smith (Rd. 4, No. 110): "Today I had probably one of the best days of my life, first day of practice."

After practice, Membou, who will compete to slot in at right tackle next to guard Alijah Vera-Tucker come September, was up first answering questions from reporters. Earlier in the day it was announced that he will wear jersey No. 70. The number that really made an impression on him, however, was the number on his first professional contract, reported to be $31.9 million over four years.

"It was pretty cool, especially after I looked at all the zeros on the page," Membou said, flashing a cheek-to-cheek grin. "I didn't realize how much money I was getting, but now, it's definitely a blessing, for sure."

After not having allowed a quarterback sack in his final season at Missouri, Membou hit the field out of the rain in the Fieldhouse on Friday in 11-on-11 drills under the watchful eyes of HC Aaron Glenn.

Asked his impression of his new coach, Membou said: "I respect him a lot and I like the culture he's building here. He's going to demand the best out of you, so I like that."

He added: "It means the world that I'm here, but at the same time it's my job now, so it's time to get to work."

Taylor's father Jason played for the Jets in 2010 and the tight end out of LSU on draft day said he did remember his time in Manhattan's Central Park as a 6-year-old enjoying the city. On Friday, he did say he probably hung with his dad at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, but did not recall specifics.

"I mean, I was way too young to tell, but yeah, I mean, seeing the pictures and being here now is definitely a surreal moment," said Taylor, who was allocated jersey No. 46. "But again, taking advantage of my opportunity here, and the coaches bringing me in, trusting me to be a part of their program, just speaks to a level of confidence they have in me, just giving them all I got on the field for minicamp, and showing that in the meetings and the weight room and all that is definitely something I'm looking forward.

"It's now all about football. So, it's definitely been amazing. And getting out here on the first day of minicamp today, it's been awesome. It's a great experience."

Smith, now wearing jersey No. 82, has elite speed and in an aside mentioned that he returned kickoffs in high school in Florida, but not in college at Georgia, though he said "hopefully I'm able to do that on this level and show you guys that I can return, too."

"When Coach Glenn talked to me on the phone [after the draft], and the receiving coach and everybody just how they welcomed me in and told me that they believe in me and that they're ready," Smith said. "And I remember [receivers] coach [Shawn] Jefferson told me: 'We already talked about what we want you to do and what you can do, and we're going to strive for you to do those things. And you know, if you come here and put the work in and everything will take care of itself.' "