Mekhi Becton - Pro Football Rumors

Rapoport’s Latest: Becton, Murray, RBs

April 21st, 2020 at 1:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is the latest on the upcoming virtual draft, courtesy of NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport:

D’Andre Swift profiles as many teams’ top-graded running back, and some are viewing the No. 26-32 range as the sector where he could land or even multiple running backs could go (Twitter link). Holding the No. 26 pick, the Dolphins are perhaps the most notable running back-seeking team in that range. They have been the team most closely connected to backs thus far. The Seahawks, Ravens, Titans, Packers, 49ers and Chiefs pick behind them.
Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray may be one of the highest-floor players in the draft, with Rapoport noting (via Twitter) no team has come through with a black mark against him. This represents obvious good news after Murray suffered a hamstring injury at the Combine. Before the NFL nixed pre-draft workouts and visits, Murray was scheduled to meet with 15 teams. It’s likely he spoke to many via video chat. Scouts Inc. grades Murray as the draft’s No. 25 prospect.
On that note, mammoth tackle Mekhi Becton has generated the most excitement from scouts, per RapSheet. The Louisville blocker goes 6-foot-7, 364 pounds. While his frame reminds of Raiders right tackle Trent Brown, the latter was a fifth-round selection. Becton, who somehow ran a 5.1-second 40-yard dash at that size, may well land in the top 10 and probably has the highest ceiling of all the tackle prospects.
A less exciting player, but one that might be a safer pick: Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas. Teams are calling the ex-Bulldogs blocker the most overlooked player who will go the highest, per Rapoport. Thomas could wind up in the top five, with Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline noting he is the favorite to be the Dolphins’ pick if they surprise most by not going quarterback at No. 5.
After the top four tackles go off the board, there figures to be a gap until the next one is picked. Houston tackle Josh Jones may be the player with the highest variance, with teams viewing him anywhere from a first- to a third-round choice, Rapoport adds. Jones grades as Scouts Inc.’s No. 50 overall prospect and seventh-ranked tackle — also behind Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland and USC’s Austin Jackson.
Going into what’s viewed as a deep draft at wide receiver, at least one GM views it as a historically deep all-around class. Said GM placed first-round grades on more than 32 prospects for the first time in his tenure, RapSheet notes.

Louisville OL Mekhi Becton Had “Flagged” Drug Test

April 18th, 2020 at 11:11am CST by Ben Levine

Louisville offensive tackle and projected first-round pick Mekhi Becton had his drug test flagged at the NFL Combine, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Becton was one of “multiple players” to get flagged, and teams had previously been made aware of this infraction.

As Rapoport notes, the lineman will now enter Stage 1 of the new CBA’s Intervention Program for no more than 60 days. If Becton isn’t flagged again, “he will thereafter assume the same status as Players who have never been referred to the Intervention Program.” As Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller observes on Twitter, “failed drug tests” clearly don’t matter as much under the new CBA.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com also observes how the NFL “continues to periodically violate” their own confidentiality provision. The league’s substance abuse policy has a “clear” confidentiality provision, but NFL.com, an entity owned by the league, has reported on Becton’s flagged drug test. As the writer notes, “no one should know about any failed or flagged drug tests until a player is suspended.” Following the changes to the drug policy in the new CBA, it wouldn’t be shocking if the players push back at the NFL’s “nonchalance.”

Becton, a 6-7, 369-pound lineman, had a breakout season in 2019. While Rotoworld.com previously described him as an incomplete technician, it lauded his measurables, strength, and toughness. Plus, as Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk observed, advanced metrics were high on Becton’s work, as he made over 60 knockdown blocks this past year. It’s worth noting that Becton didn’t fail a drug test during his time at Louisville.

The Giants and Jets are among the teams that have been connected to Becton.

Jets Eyeing OL At No. 11?

April 17th, 2020 at 1:09pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s no secret that the Jets could use some help at wide receiver. And, with the No. 11 pick, they could have the opportunity to take CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy, who stand as the cream of a rich WR crop. Meanwhile, they also need to protect quarterback Sam Darnold (and his spleen), so they could opt for offensive line help in the first round. As Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets, the Jets have done their homework on this year’s top big men.

Before the travel restrictions, the Jets had dinner and a private workout with Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, per Pelissero. He also hears that they’ve hosted Louisville’s Mekhi Becton on a top 30 visit and Zoom-chatted with Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. They’re the four best offensive lineman in this year’s class, so there’s no guarantee that any of them will slip to Gang Green. Thomas has also garnered interest from the Dolphins (No. 5), Pelissero hears.

Of that quintet, Wirfs is widely viewed as the most NFL-ready. He also offers serious athleticism for his size (6’5″, 320 pounds), plus versatility. At Iowa, he played primarily at left and right tackle. Pro scouts also believe that he has the ability to move inside and play guard.

The top 10 already has teams in need of line help and other teams are contemplating trades to land one of this year’s best OLs. The Bucs and Broncos have serious interest in moving up the board and they could leapfrog the Jets on Thursday.

NFC Notes: Scherff, Cook, Winston, Giants

April 11th, 2020 at 10:53am CST by Ben Levine

As of right now, Brandon Scherff is set to play next season under the franchise tag. However, the three-time Pro Bowler is confident he’ll sign an extension with the Redskins.

“It’s gone well,” Scherff said of the negotiations (via Kyle Stackpole of Redskins.com). “Just pretty much sat down and talked to my agent — that’s what he’s there for — and I want to sign a long-term deal with them, too. I love it there, and I’ve always said I wanted to be a Redskin for the rest of my career. So, hopefully we can work towards that.”

After becoming the first guard to receive the franchise tag since 2011, Scherff signed his franchise tender relatively quickly. He’s set to make $14.8MM in 2020 under the tag.

Since being selected with the fifth-overall pick in the 2015 draft, Scherff has started all 65 of his regular season appearances. However, he’s been limited to only 19 games over the past two years thanks to a pair of IR trips.

Let’s check out some more notes from around the NFC…

Running back Dalvin Cook and the Vikings are also in the midst of extension talks, and the 24-year-old has made it clear that he wants to stick in Minnesota. “I definitely love Minnesota,” Cook told Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com. “I love everything the state has to bring. Being a kid, I was drafted (in 2017) from Miami (his hometown), so I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I actually am happy where I’m at, and I would like to be in Minnesota long term.” After compiling 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last season, Cook is set to make a base salary of $1.33MM next season.
Jameis Winston isn’t a bust, says the GM who drafted him. While the Buccaneers were eager to replace the former first-overall pick with a soon-to-be 43-year-old quarterback, Jason Licht is still optimistic about Winston’s future in the NFL. “We have a lot of respect for Jameis,” the executive told ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “Jameis was still part of our plan if things went a different route. We’ve got a lot of respect for him. I thought he did a lot of great things, and anybody in our office or building would say the same thing. He did some spectacular things for us. I would never say that, personally — and I think I speak on behalf of the organization — that he’s a bust. I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him.” Last season, Winston led the league in passing yards (5,109) and interceptions (30).
The Giants “love” Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs, reports Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. While the front office has been infatuated with him since well before the combine, there are some who believe the Giants still won’t take him with the fourth-overall pick. In fact, some sources told Vacchiano that they believe the Giants will opt for another lineman in Alabama’s Jedrick Wills or Louisville’s Mekhi Becton.

Louisville OL Mekhi Becton To Enter Draft

December 16th, 2019 at 6:22pm CST by Rory Parks

Louisville offensive lineman Mekhi Becton will be entering the 2020 NFL draft and will not be playing for the Cardinals in this month’s Music City Bowl against Mississippi State, as Becton himself said in a statement he released on Twitter.

Becton took his game to a new level in 2019 and now profiles as a potential first-round pick. He is a massive specimen at 6-7, 369 pounds, and while Rotoworld.com describes him as an incomplete technician, it lauds his measurables, strength, and toughness. Plus, as Charean Williams of Pro Footbal Talk observes, advanced metrics were high on Becton’s work, and he made over 60 knockdown blocks this year.

The Cardinals’ rushing offense has averaged 214.4 yards per game in 2019, thanks in large part to Becton’s efforts. He started 33 games over his three collegiate seasons and was named First Team All-ACC this year.

“Mekhi has had a tremendous year and deserves this outstanding recognition as one of the top blockers in the ACC,” Louisville HC Scott Satterfield said. “He has been a leader for our offensive line and our offense as a whole, and to be recognized for his accomplishments by members of this league is a great honor for Mekhi.”

The Redskins, Jets, and Dolphins are just a few of the clubs who could be interested in Becton’s services.