Mekhi Becton hasn’t enjoyed the success many expected him to have after the Jets drafted him 11th overall in 2020. He made 13 starts as a rookie, but he missed all but one game in 2021 due to a knee injury.
He still hasn’t recovered from the injury, being sidelined for the team’s offseason practices this spring. However, coach Robert Saleh provided an encouraging update on Wednesday when he said Becton will be fully healthy for training camp in late July.
What Saleh doesn’t know is which position Becton will play. He said it’s still to be determined whether Becton or George Fant lines up at left tackle.
So to summarize on Mekhi Becton: His knee is structurally sound, per Saleh. He will be ready for training camp. Saleh won't reveal weight, says Becton still working w/ performance staff. No decision on LT-RT situation. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) June 15, 2022
Saleh is still confident in Becton’s ability to be the stud left tackle the Jets expected him to be, saying “he can be transcendent” if he takes care of his business “like we know he can.”
"The size, the athleticism, the physicality…he's important. If he takes care of his business, he can be transcendent."
– Robert Saleh on Mekhi Becton pic.twitter.com/xsOn8VZABC
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 15, 2022
Becton is a physically gifted offensive lineman, which landed him in the top half of the 2020 draft. He’s big, powerful and obviously very athletic, making him a perfect player to build around on the offensive line.
The Jets just need him to stay in shape and healthy as he enters Year 3.