When Joe Douglas set out to overhaul the Jets offensive line in free agency this offseason, he emphasized three things: athleticism, versatility and discipline.
It’s those characteristics that explain why Douglas took Mekhi Becton with the 11th overall pick instead of settling on a safer bet such as Tristan Wirfs. Becton’s tremendous upside comes with some risks, but the Louisville tackle also possesses the traits that Douglas deems most important in the trenches.
Standing at 6-foot-7, 364 pounds and the owner of a 7-foot wingspan, Becton’s frame is a force all its own. However, this man is about more than just size. Becton showed off rare athleticism for a man of his build at the NFL combine, running a 5.10-second 40-yard dash. In doing so, he became the heaviest player to run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash at the combine since 2006, according to ESPN.
“A man that size isn’t supposed to be as nimble as he is,” Douglas said after taking Becton. “So, there is a little bit of a surprise, but I think you saw that on tape that this is a big man with good feet. When he ran that 5.1 40 at the combine, that was certainly eye-opening.”
With Becton’s athleticism also comes the positional flexibility that Douglas craves. Becton played both tackle positions at Louisville, earning first-team All-ACC honors as a junior while starting on the left side. It’s not yet official which side of the line Becton will begin his career on, but the expectation is that he will be Sam Darnold’s blindside protector on the left for years to come.
With Becton’s versatility in the fold, the Jets now have options with new free agent signing George Fant and rising sophomore Chuma Edoga.
Finally, Becton checks off the discipline box for Douglas. That may come as a surprise for a player with his size and on-field aggression, but Becton knows how to operate within the rules. In 34 college games, he never once committed a holding penalty. Similar feats were common among the lineman New York signed earlier this offseason.
Clearly, Becton fits the Douglas mold, even if the mold of his own body stands out from the rest. There are going to be some growing pains for the rookie, but it’s obvious why the Jets saw him as a fit for their new-look line.
“We’re so excited to add a guy this size and athletic ability, Douglas said. [This is] a guy we feel can fortify our front for the long term.”