Initially seeing work at guard as a potential swing option, Mekhi Becton has pushed this experiment to an unexpected place. The former would-be Jets long-term left tackle is poised to open the season as an Eagles guard starter.
Becton has all but locked down Philly’s right guard gig, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane. The player with whom Becton was primarily competing, Tyler Steen, sustained an ankle injury during the Eagles’ second preseason game. Becton had already been tracking to win that job.
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This will represent a fascinating rebound opportunity for Becton, who did not command a big market after injuries threw his career off track in New York. Becton scored a one-year, $2.75MM deal from the Eagles in May. He is well behind 2020 first-round classmates Andrew Thomas and Tristan Wirfs, and Jedrick Wills — whenever he should return from a lingering knee injury — remains the Browns’ left tackle. Becton’s bounce-back bid will instead come at guard on what has been one of the NFL’s premier offensive lines over the past several years.
The Eagles need a new right guard due to Jason Kelce‘s retirement, with 2023 RG Cam Jurgens kicking inside to center. The Eagles have replaced previous exiting interior linemen with in-house solutions. Landon Dickerson replaced Brandon Brooks in 2021, while Jurgens stepped in for Isaac Seumalo in 2023. Steen appeared ticketed to be the latest in-house blocker elevated into the lineup, but Becton changed those plans.
Becton, 25, has never played a guard snap in an NFL game. Louisville deployed him at tackle as well. But the Eagles slid the former No. 11 overall pick inside during their offseason program. Early in camp, Becton gave way to Steen. But the 2023 third-rounder’s initial ankle injury sustained in camp accelerated Becton’s climb. He appears unlikely to give the job back before Week 1.
Veterans Brett Toth and Nick Gates are in the mix for backup jobs; the team also has fifth-round rookie Trevor Keegan on track for a second-string role. Becton left Sunday’s practice with a leg injury, prompting Toth to step in. But the 6-foot-7 blocker returned Tuesday. Injuries kept Becton off the field for 33 games from 2021-22, with weight issues hindering him in New York as well. Ballooning to around 400 pounds early his career, Becton slimmed down to nearly 340 pounds last year. After winning the Jets’ RT job, Becton split time between New York’s tackle posts and missed only one game.
Becton’s injury past presents warning signs to the Eagles, but the team has stockpiled some options in the event the fifth-year blocker encounters another setback. As it stands, the right side of Philly’s O-line will be comprised of first-rounders, with Lane Johnson entering Year 12.
Funny (actually pathetic) that the Jets never thought of deploying this idea for Becton. Just another wasted 1st round pick!
It really doesn’t matter what ideas you have about deploying a player if the guy can’t stay healthy…and that was the problem with Becton in New York.
So…give it time then? And he’ll be on IR by October.