In Mel Kiper’s final mock draft, the ESPN draft analyst has the Jets selecting Louisville offensive lineman Mekhi Becton.
Here is Kiper’s explanation for the selection:
With the wide receiver class so deep, the Jets could grab a starter in Round 2. They can’t afford to miss on the top-tier of this tackle class, though, and Becton is an athletic player with outstanding feet.”
Kiper doesn’t stray far from the consensus with his pick. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, NBC Sports’ Peter King and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and Charlie Casserly each recently had the Jets taking Becton with the 11th pick.
The Jets can’t afford to miss out on a top-tier offensive lineman in the first round. Other options besides Becton include Trsitan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills Jr. and Andrew Thomas, but there is no guaranteed any will be on the board in time for the 11th pick.
Becton is a mauler in the run game. He has the arm length and leverage to go with the power that his 6-foot-7, 364-pound frame possesses. Becton would be a great fit for the outside zone running scheme that the Jets want to establish with Le’Veon Bell and he would take care of the edge on the left side of the offensive line.
Becton would be a plug-and-play starter for New York who can come in and protect Sam Darnold’s blindside immediately. If this is New York’s pick at No. 11, it will be good a one.