Despite not being able to practice in-person until training camp, Mekhi Becton is confident the Jets offensive line can click right away.
Becton, drafted 11th overall this past April, will be part of an offensive line that could feature five new starters compared to a season ago. Chemistry was an issue for the Jets in the trenches last year, so there’s some concern over that again entering 2020 with all the new faces and lack of time spent together.
Becton, however, doesn’ sound worried.
“We’re a bunch of goofy guys from what I can tell from just the vets talking, so I know when once I get comfortable and have a chance to talk to them I’m going to be goofy with them,” Becton told the Jets’ website. “I feel like we’re going to have a lot of good chemistry. We’re going to ball really good.”
It’s going to be a challenge for the Jets offensive line to build that strong chemistry, especially with all the time missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Becton, however, feels what the Jets have learned in the virtual offseason program should be enough to have the offensive line in sync by the start of the regular season.
Becton is expected to be the lone rookie on the offensive line at left tackle. Connor McGovern is penciled in as the starting center while Alex Lewis, Greg Van Roten, Brian Winters and Josh Andrews will all battle for two guard spots. At right tackle, it will be a competition between Chuma Edoga and George Fant.
Becton and the rest of the offensive line are going to have a ton of pressure on them to keep Sam Darnold upright this season. So Becton better hope the chemistry is strong right from the start of training camp through the end of the season.