Mekhi Becton talked a big game at the NFL combine earlier this year. Now he’s backing it up.
Becton knew his game would translate to the NFL coming out of the University of Louisville. He made that assertion known in February when he said, “I feel like I’m the most dominant tackle in this draft.” The Jets ended up picking Becton 11th overall in April. Now, halfway through his first season, he’s showing that his pre-draft self-hype wasn’t wrong.
“If you go back to my (scouting) combine interview… I told them I was the most dominant player in the draft and I’m showing it today,” Becton said, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “I gotta keep showing it.”
What Becton has put on film through the first six NFL games has been cringeworthy — for opposing defenders. He is making some of the NFL’s best pass rushers look silly when they try to get past him. Becton has made a habit of putting them on the ground when they come near him.
One of Becton’s best plays on film came this past week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Frank Clark came at Becton off the edge. Becton put him on the grass with ease.
Only concern with the #Jets offense: they're 33% outside zone. The #Patriots are allowing 5.8 yards per rush against outside zone this season, per @PFF_Louie. Watch the left side work here for NYJ as rookie LT Mekhi Becton tosses Frank Clark out of the club. Becton is a stud. pic.twitter.com/GRhGCuurBJ
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) November 4, 2020
Overall, Becton has been the Jets’ best offensive lineman. He has been strong in pass protection, as he’s only given up three sacks this year. Running behind Becton, meanwhile, has been Gang Green’s best hope for advancing the ball on the ground.
When the Jets are running to Becton’s side, they’re averaging 5.59 yards per carry, which is seventh in the NFL in terms of running behind a particular lineman. When Becton hasn’t been at left tackle and the Jets run to the left side, they’re averaging just 4.80 yards per carry, only good for 20th in the league.
Becton is proving to the rest of the league that he was one of the most dominant players in this past year’s draft. If he continues to play this way, Becton could potentially be the best player out of the 2020 NFL draft. The sky is the limit for the Jets’ left tackle.