Much has been made of Mekhi Becton’s size since the Jets drafted him 11th overall this offseason, but Alex Lewis came up with a nickname that perfectly described the tackle’s stature.
“I call that rookie ‘The Great Wall of Green.’ He’s massive,” Lewis, who will line up next to Becton, said Thursday.
“He’s 6-8 and 360 [pounds] and he looks great,” Lewis continued. “I’m excited to see what he can do when we put pads on. I know he’s coming in, he’s quiet, as a rookie should be. He’s a sponge, he’s soaking up everything we’re telling him. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Becton, who has drawn attention for his sheer size and length, is looking to become a cornerstone at left tackle for New York, something the Jets have been searching for since D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired. Not only can Becton be Sam Darnold’s blindside protector for years to come, but he can also be a bully in the running game as well. That should help Le’Veon Bell bounce back from a disappointing 2019 season.
There were some concerns about Becton’s weight coming out of Louisville, but Adam Gase has been impressed with the rookie’s dedication to his training. The head coach agreed with Lewis’ “he looks great” assessment, stating that Becton appears “lean” despite his size.
“He did a great job of sticking with the program and what he was doing in the offseason all through the summer,” Gase said Wednesday.
With Lewis likely to start the season at left guard, the Jets will pair their rookie next to the longest-tenured starter on the offensive line. While Lewis has just 12 games under his belt in green and white, he still has an understanding of what both Gase and offensive line coach Frank Pollack like to do schematically. The hope is that Lewis will serve as a mentor for the 21-year-old Becton.
When the pads come on Aug. 17, the Jets will finally get a glimpse of what Becton can do with his size and the knowledge he’s accumulated so far.