After playing out a one-year, prove-it contract in Philadelphia, offensive lineman Mekhi Becton rehabilitated his image as a former first-round pick in the eyes of the NFL with a highly successful, Super Bowl-winning season. The success he found with his new team will result in a new contract with another team as the now free agent has agreed to a two-year deal with the Chargers, per Tim McManus of ESPN. 
After getting drafted 11th overall out of Louisville in 2020, Becton was verging on bust status with the Jets. An impressive rookie season saw him battle back from an early injury to start 13 of 14 game appearances, ranking as the 31st-best offensive tackle out of 79 players graded at the position, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). After being carted off the field in Week 1 of his sophomore campaign, Becton missed the next 33 regular season games, including the entire 2022 NFL season after he suffered an avulsion fracture of his right kneecap in training camp.
With a disappointing start to his NFL career, the Jets opted to decline his fifth-year option. Before the injury prior to 2022, New York had moved Becton to right tackle, a move he didn’t agree with. At one point, it seemed like Becton might be fighting for a roster spot, but he eventually was awarded the starting right tackle job for 2023. When starting left tackle Duane Brown was placed on injured reserve early in the year, New York’s hand was forced, and they moved Becton back to the left side.
A rough season, in which Becton ranked 66th out of 81 offensive tackles, per PFF, failed to establish the young lineman as a long-term option for the team. As a result, the Jets did not seek to re-sign him. Instead, he signed with the Eagles. Just like with the Jets, Becton desired to earn a long-term deal with the Eagles and, as a result, was even willing to play some guard, eventually winning the starting right guard job.
A resurgent season saw Becton play the best football of his career. En route to a Super Bowl title, Becton ranked as the 20th-best guard in the league, per PFF. Near the opening of free agency, Becton reiterated his desire to remain in Philadelphia, but he began to draw a lot of interest in free agency. Now, Becton will have two years in Los Angeles to earn that long-term deal he so desires.
In Los Angeles, the Chargers are set at center (Bradley Bozeman), left guard (Zion Johnson), and both tackle spots (Joe Alt & Rashawn Slater). The team watched both Trey Pipkins and Jamaree Salyer struggle at the right guard spot throughout 2024, so it stands to reason that Becton will fit in as a perfect upgrade at that position. He’ll also provide the added benefit of having the ability to flex out to either tackle spot, in case of emergency.
As for the Eagles, they don’t immediately have an option to fill Becton’s spot at right guard. Third-year lineman Tyler Steen is who Becton beat out for the starting right guard job in camp, but after starting two games and appearing in all 17 last year, Steen ranked 75th of 77 guards in the NFL, per PFF. The other option would be recent trade acquisition Kenyon Green. Green started nine of 12 game appearances for the Texans in 2024 and 14 of 15 in 2022. The only issue there is that Green, another former first-rounder, was one of the two only players to grade out lower than Steen last season at 76th, per PFF.
WHAT ARE THE PATRIOTS WAITING ON
Rodgers to sign somewhere, probably.
Harbaugh and Roman love a lineman who can throw people out of the club. I hope Becton can stay healthy and in shape. That can be a fun line.
A fine graduate from Stoutland University.
Chargers have a really solid o line and a really good QB. They just added Harris as their RB1 a your WR room is currently real cheap with Johnson, McConkey and Williams returning.
You have a need at TE but that’s not really the biggest problem.
I’d invest heavily in defence in the draft and I actually think this team is well poised to make some noise over the next couple years.
The Chargers would do better for themselves if they focused more on offense IMO. They still need at least one more guard and probably a Center. Zion Johnson was not good last season. Bozeman the same at Center. And a true burner outside WR would look good next to the slot WR, McConkey. And the Chargers also need an explosive young RB to complement Harris. And then there’s the TE spot(s).
I hope they also draft a good Edge rusher for the defense.
What offense are you thinking they are building here. This is Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman, they build oline, RB focused offenses and they do not overpay for WRs. This is an offense that is predicated on the run and the TE, not its WRs. That offense can be found in LA, it’s just in the NFC.
I like the line. No line in the league is amazing 5/5 but Alt and Slater are top tackles. In the guard spots there’s now 4 options with Becton, Johnson, Pipkins and Slayer. Then at centre Bozeman. That’s going to be a top 10 line in the league.
As for the WR room. McConkey will be in the slot and outside of that it’s more about size for them. Williams and Johnson are both 6’4, 193cm 100kg beasts.
RB, sure I could see them adding another guy to work with Harris but I think he will be doing the bulk of the work.
TE again for sure I’d be looking to add someone here. CJ Ozumah would be cheap and is 6’6 so again would fit their mould.
However I’d personally trade for Micheal Mayer. Hasn’t really got it going in the NFL but was a beast in college and maybe a fresh start would do him well.
That would be in on offence and just go heavy on defence in the draft. Have faith in Herbert, Harris the line and your big targets.