Exploring Versatility: Eagles Offensive Lineman Mekhi Becton Embraces New Roles

Still in the honeymoon stage with the Eagles, the huge offensive lineman has opened himself to the idea of ​​multiple positions

PHILADELPHIA — Because of the way the left tackle Jordan Mailata says it, the new offensive lineman of the Philadelphia Eagles, Mekhi Becton “has done a great job of just answering ‘yes'” this offseason.

He’s accepting a new position, and a new team, and appears to be reinvigorated by the change of scenery after a rocky, injury-filled start to his career with New York Jets.

“I feel happier, that’s for sure,” he revealed. Becton. “I’m happier here, I’m having a great time here. Everyone is like a big family here.”

Mekhi Becton hopes to find a permanent home on the Eagles’ offensive line. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Los Eagles y Becton They’re basically in the honeymoon stage, still, that’s clear. They agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million last April, just over a month after the free agency period opened. Bectonelected eleventh overall in the Draft 2020described the time before his signing as “very aggravating.”

But, he found accommodation in Philly. Los Eagles were in need of depth along the offensive line after Jack Driscoll y Your Opeta They will sign elsewhere. He had a key fan in his new offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, who voted for the hiring. The admiration was mutual.

“I have a Lane Johnson y Jordan Mailata in the same room. Those are two guys I admire. They are great players. I have the coach Stout“, he confessed Becton when explaining why he signed with the Eagles. “Then, we have a great team here with Jalen Hurts, Saquon [Barkley], AJ [Brown]just seeing all the ammunition in this team, it just makes sense.”

The only but is that there is no clear path to a starting position at tackle, discounting injury, with Johnson y Miles in template. Hoping to maximize the value of the gifted Becton and at 6 feet 7 inches tall and 360 pounds, Stoutland He suggested that he try out as a guard, and Becton I’m listening.

“I’m really impressed with his football intelligence, his versatility,” he shared. Stoutland. “I didn’t realize he was capable of playing other positions. That in itself, just having that transfer value, and the willingness to want to do it, he’s a fun guy to coach. He loves football.”

Non-contact practices during the spring are not conclusive for evaluating the level of a line, but there was evidence that the Eagles they see promise in Becton with that role. With Landon Dickerson absent during minicamp, Becton He received reps as the starting left guard.

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“He’s probably had one of the best offseasons here,” he said. Johnson. “He’s played guard at times and done pretty well. Just a big, strong, powerful guy. I think he’s going to help us a lot this year, whether he lines up at tackle or guard. But a guy that big who “He can move so well, we definitely need him out there.”

That combination of size and skill is what made Becton into a coveted first-round pick coming out of Louisville. He enjoyed a solid rookie campaign at left tackle for the Jets, allowing 4.5 sacks in 14 games, according to NextGen Stats. But, he missed 33 of 34 games between 2021 and 2022 due to a pair of surgeries on his right knee.

He blamed the coaches when he was reinjured during 2022 training camp, noting that their decision to move him to right tackle placed additional pressure on his surgically repaired right knee, an allegation that was confirmed by his personal doctor.

When the version began to circulate during the 2023 offseason that Becton could be tried again at right tackle, he posted on social media, before deleting, “I. Am. A. Left. Tackle!” to which the head coach Robert Saleh he responded, “Go and win the left tackle position.”

Becton He dropped 50 pounds last offseason, won the starting right tackle job, and then moved to his natural left tackle spot when Duane Brown he was hurt. He accomplished his primary goal — staying healthy — and started 16 of 17 games, but finished second in penalties (12) and fourth in sacks allowed (12.5), according to NextGen data.

“My years with the Jetsthey were good,” he said. “They are the reason why I am in the NFL, so I can’t help but thank you for that. We had a little ups and downs with relationships and stuff like that, but it is what it is.”

As for the lessons of his time in New York: “Just have fun, just try to find the fun in it, find the light in it. I’m already having fun since I’ve been here for a month or two. There’s really nothing I should bring from there.”

Becton He admitted that his mindset has changed regarding playing different positions, partly because of his relationship with Stoutland.

“Anything you ask me for, I’ll do it,” he announced. Becton. “Having a coach like him, he’s a great guy, you want to do anything for him.”

There is also the reality that he is under a modest one-year contract with Philadelphia and he must prove that he can stay healthy and make an impact — wherever it may be — to be able to get back on solid ground in the NFL.

“I want it to be long term [con los Eagles]” he said. “I love the city of Philly. I love the people here, I love the fans. It’s great. “I hope it’s long-term.”

2024-06-26 20:14:14
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