Jets OT Mekhi Becton calls flagged combine drug test ‘a one-time mistake’

Jets first-round pick Mekhi Becton vowed his flagged drug test at the NFL draft combine would never happen again on Thursday night.

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Jets’ first-round pick Mekhi Becton is ready to move past his flagged drug test at the NFL draft combine in February.

Becton’s flagged test landed him in Stage 1 of the NFL’s program for drug use. Becton must now complete 60 days in the program without failing a single drug test — something he vows will not be an issue.

“Just a young mistake,” Becton told reporters of the flagged test. “It was a one-time mistake and it’s never going to happen again.”

It came as a surprise when news of Becton’s flagged drug test surfaced, as he never had any such issues throughout his college career. Vince Tyra, Louisville’s athletic director, even went to bat for Becton, praising his character.

“I’m sure he’ll address it properly,” Tyra said. “He is terrific. He’s a great talent, but I will tell you he’s an awesome person. I would tell you it would be a surprise if he had a failed test. He’s just been a model student-athlete for us. I’m not worried about him. He is going to have a great career. I don’t think he’s going to be trouble for any teams.”

As long as he completes the NFL’s program for drug use, Becton will not be subject to punishment by the league. That opens the door for him to begin 2020 as one of New York’s starters at tackle if he progresses as Joe Douglas and company expect throughout the offseason.

Joe Douglas went with upside over safer bet for first pick as Jets GM

Jets general manager bet on Mekhi Becton’s upside in his first pick as Jets general manager.

Joe Douglas swung for the fences with his first draft pick as Jets general manager.

With both Tristan Wirfs and Mekhi Becton remaining on the board at No. 11, Douglas had a decision to make. Would he go with the safer bet in Wirfs? Or, would he go with Becton, who has the highest ceiling of any offensive lineman in this year’s draft?

Douglas opted for upside, going with Becton in his latest and grandest attempt to revamp New York’s offensive line.

In Becton, the Jets are getting an offensive lineman whose massive size matches his potential. Now the question is whether or not he can reach his ceiling and become the franchise offensive tackle New York desperately needs.

“We’re so excited to add a guy this size and athletic ability,” Douglas said. “A guy we feel can fortify our front for the long term.”

You can’t teach size and Becton has plenty of that. Listed at 6-foot-7, 364 pounds, the Louisville product is already one of the biggest players in the league. Becton’s size and 7-foot wingspan will play a major role in his ability to contain NFL pass rushers, but it could also wind up being a reason why he does not reach his full potential with the Jets.

Becton needs to do everything he can to keep his weight in check. If he balloons past his current weight — he prefers to play at around 350 pounds — it could become a serious problem. The heavier Becton gets, the harder it becomes for him to maintain his technique, which needs a lot of work. It could also lead to injury issues down the road, which would severely halt his development and diminish his odds of succeeding at the next level.

There’s also the issue of Becton’s drug test from the NFL combine getting flagged. Should the Jets be worried about that? Probably not considering he did not fail a single drug test in college. However, Becton starts his professional career in Stage 1 of the league’s program for drug use.

As long as Becton does not fail a drug test during his 60 days in the program, he will come out in the clear. He promised he will.

“It was a one-time mistake and it’s never going to happen again,” Becton said after getting picked Thursday night.

Wirfs had none of these issues, yet Douglas elected to go with Becton’s upside over the cleaner prospect with a more refined skill set. That decision was partly influenced by conversations the GM had with Becton and those around him prior to the draft. It’s going to take time to determine if he made the right pick, but Douglas sent a clear message with his selection on Thursday night.

He’s going to go with the player that has the best chance to develop into a star down the road.

Jets Wire’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Andrew Thomas to New York in final 7-round prediction

Jets Wire’s final mock draft of the year has New York landing Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas at No. 11.

After months of anticipation, it’s finally draft day.

With the 2020 NFL Draft less than 24 hours away, we at the Jets Wire have one last mock ready to go. This projection focuses on the Jets and what they can do through all seven rounds, as well as a look at how the entire first round could play out.

The Jets find themselves in an interesting position with the 11th pick. At this point, they seem destined to take a tackle or a receiver. What they do in the first round may telegraph their plans for the rest of the draft.

In this mock draft, New York adds protection for Sam Darnold, two big-bodied weapons at wide receiver, a potential starting EDGE and cornerback, Le’Veon Bell’s backup and a late-round defensive line flier.

Let’s take a look at who we think the Jets could take in Douglas’ first draft as the team’s general manager in Jets Wire’s fifth and final mock.

First Round

1. Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

2. Washington Redskins — Chase Young | DE | Ohio State

3. Detroit Lions — Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

4. New York Giants — Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville

5. Miami Dolphins — Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

6. Los Angeles Chargers — Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

7. Carolina Panthers — Isaiah Simmons | OLB | Clemson

8. Arizona Cardinals — Tristan Wirfs | OL | Iowa

9. Jacksonville Jaguars — Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

10. Cleveland Browns — Jedrick Wills Jr. | OT | Alabama

11. New York Jets — Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

With Becton, Wirfs and Wills Jr. off the board, Thomas becomes the logical selection for the Jets at No. 11. He might not come with the hype that the other three had throughout draft season, but Thomas is arguably the most-pro ready tackle of the bunch. He is a plug-and-play starter for New York and has the potential to become a leader in the locker room from day one.

12. Las Vegas Raiders — CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma

13. San Francisco 49ers (via IND) — Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Josh Jones | OT | Houston

15. Denver Broncos — Henry Ruggs II | WR | Alabama

16. Atlanta Falcons — CJ Henderson | CB | Florida

17. Dallas Cowboys — K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU

18. Miami Dolphins (via PITT) — Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina

19. Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI) — Patrick Queen | LB | LSU

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) — Austin Jackson | OT | USC

21. Philadelphia Eagles — Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

22. Minnesota Vikings (via BUF) — Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU

23. New England Patriots — Yetur Gross-Matos | DE | Penn State

24. New Orleans Saints — Jordan Love | QB | Utah State

25. Minnesota Vikings — A.J. Epenesa — EDGE | Iowa

26. Miami Dolphins (via HOU) — Isaiah Wilson | OT | Georgia

27. Seattle Seahawks — Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama

28. Baltimore Ravens — Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma

29. Tennessee Titans — Zach Baun | EDGE | Wisconsin

30. Green Bay Packers — Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor

31. San Francisco 49ers — Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah

32. Kansas City Chiefs — Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama

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Final 2020 NFL Draft order: Jets set to pick 11th

Here’s the draft order for the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft is just hours away from its virtual debut.

The New York Jets own the 11th pick in the first round of the draft, but a few other teams have changed positions since the Super Bowl thanks to trades. The 49ers own the 13th pick after they dealt Deforest Buckner to the Colts. Meanwhile, the Vikings now have the 22nd pick after trading Stefon Diggs away to the Bills.

There could also be plenty of trades in the hours ahead, as teams try to move up and down. For now, however, here’s what the order of the first round looks like at the start of Day 1 of the draft:

1. Cincinnati

2. Washington

3. Detroit

4. NY Giants

5. Miami

6. LA Chargers

7. Carolina

8. Arizona

9. Jacksonville

10. Cleveland

11. NY Jets

12. Las Vegas

13. San Francisco (via Indianapolis)

14. Tampa Bay

15. Denver

16. Atlanta

17. Dallas

18. Miami (via Pittsburgh)

19. Las Vegas (via Chicago)

20. Jacksonville (via LA Rams)

21. Philadelphia

22. Minnesota (via Buffalo)

23. New England

24. New Orleans

25. Minnesota

26. Miami (via Houston)

27. Seattle

28. Baltimore

29. Tennessee

30. Green Bay

31. San Francisco

32. Kansas City

Joe Douglas and the Jets can’t afford to mess up the 2020 draft

Jets Wire breaks down why Joe Douglas and company cannot afford to mess up this year’s draft.

To say the Jets have a lot riding on the 2020 NFL Draft would be an understatement.

Joe Douglas did a nice job filling holes and addressing needs in free agency, but there is still plenty of work to be done in order for the Jets to rise to contender status as soon as next season. Numerous positions still have gaping holes, while others are in need of depth.

Fortunately for Douglas and the Jets, this year’s draft class is loaded. It’s not a class that is top-heavy, either. From the first round to the seventh round, there will be talent available for the taking. That should be music to New York’s ears considering the need for an influx of youth.

All the Jets have to do is avoid messing up and picking the wrong players — something they cannot afford to do. That easier said than done, of course, and is rarely accomplished when it comes to Gang Green and the draft.

In 1983, the Jets selected Ken O’Brien over Dan Marino. In 1987, they decided it was a good idea to select a fullback in the first round. Three years later, they spent the second overall pick on Blair Thomas, who rushed for only 2,000 yards and five touchdowns in four seasons with the team. In 1995, New York selected tight end Kyle Brady over future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp.

The list of Jets’ draft blunders goes on and on. In fact, there is an entire YouTube video dedicated to the subject. The NFL draft has forever been an imperfect science, but to the Jets, it has been more like rocket science.

One of the main reasons Mike Maccagnan is no longer New York’s general manager is because of his inability to find quality players in the draft. He did well to land Jamal Adams and Sam Darnold, but those two basically fell into his lap. Maccagnan struggled mightily in the middle rounds, with almost all of his selections on days two and three no longer with the Jets.

In his first draft calling the shots as a general manager, Douglas is not only tasked with landing talent to build a winning roster, but also with dispelling the notion that the Jets cannot hire a general manager who understands what the NFL draft is all about. It will take a couple of years to determine the true success of Douglas’ first draft class with the Jets, but if he makes head-scratching decisions right off the bat, people will expect the worst.

The Jets are closer to winning than they might seem. With players like Adams, Darnold, Le’Veon Bell and C.J. Mosley in the mix, New York has its fair share of talented pieces in place. The negatives of the roster simply outweigh the positives at this point in time.

That can all change beginning on Thursday night. As long as Douglas doesn’t mess things up like those before him, the Jets will be heading in the right direction.

2020 NFL Draft: 4 bold predictions for Joe Douglas and the Jets

Jets Wire makes four bold predictions for general manager Joe Douglas and the Jets in the upcoming 2020 NFL draft.

It wouldn’t be draft season without some bold predictions being thrown out there.

Draft season is all about speculation. Analysts and fans spend all offseason predicting when a player might go off the board. Some analysts predict players to get drafted way higher than others expect, while others have teams taking players that have not been linked to the organization or ones who fill a high-priority need.

With Joe Douglas’ first draft as an NFL general manager approaching, it’s time for Jets Wire to get bold and take a crack at predicting what Douglas might do on draft day. Let’s get into it.

Douglas trades back

No. 11 seems like the perfect pick for the Jets. Slotted just outside the top 10, New York can take either an offensive tackle to protect Sam Darnold or a top wide receiver for him to work with.

This year’s draft is about more than filling just one or two holes, though. Joe Douglas is well aware that the depth chart needs improving at multiple positions. What better way to address those positions than by trading back in the first round?

Trading back would not necessarily take the Jets out of the running for a standout tackle or receiver in the first round. Depending on how far they trade back, Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones and LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson should still be available for the taking. In this scenario, Douglas not only gets an impact player at a position of need, but he adds more draft capital to address other needs.

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Given his upbringing, don’t be surprised if Joe Douglas makes a draft-day deal

Jets general manager would be willing to move down in the 2020 NFL Draft in order to accumulate extra draft picks.

A Jets general manager hasn’t made a draft-day trade in the first round since 2009, but don’t be surprised if Joe Douglas snaps that streak this week.

According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Douglas is open to trading back in the first round of the 2020 draft to accumulate extra draft capital. That would still allow him to pick an offensive lineman or a wide receiver in the first round of the draft.

“Joe is going to do very well in the middle rounds of this draft,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “That’s where the sweet spot is. I would not be shocked if, either at 11 or 48, he traded down to get even more picks in that third- and fourth-round range, because then he can really upgrade the roster with this draft.”

Douglas’ NFL upbringing could influence his draft-day decisions, especially when it comes to wheeling and dealing. The two teams he previously worked for, the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, have never had a problem making draft-day trades, so don’t count Douglas out from making a move.

The last time a Jets general manager executed a draft-day trade in round one was when Mike Tannenbaum traded up from No. 17 to No. 5 to draft USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. Former general manager Mike Maccagnan moved up from No. 6 to No. 3 in the 2018 NFL Draft to pick Sam Darnold, but that trade was completed with the Colts a month before the draft.

Douglas and the Jets own eight picks entering the draft (1st, 2nd, two 3rds, 4th, 5th, two 6ths). With the amount of holes on the roster, the Jets could benefit from having extra picks.

The question then becomes can Douglas hit on those draft picks? At the end of the day, that’s what it’s going to come down to. The Jets’ recent draft history has left much to be desired and Douglas needs to find a way to turn it around starting on Thursday night.

2020 NFL Draft: 4 prospects the Jets should avoid

Jets Wire takes a look at four 2020 NFL draft prospects the Jets should steer clear of.

Joe Douglas is going to have to make the most of the 2020 NFL Draft is the Jets want to have any chance at contending next season.

New York’s roster has multiple holes that need to be filled. In his first draft running the show as a general manager, Douglas will be tasked with accomplishing this feat by putting together a class that features multiple players that can make an impact early in their professional career.

Fortunately for Douglas and the Jets, this year’s draft is loaded with talent at positions where New York has needs. There are also numerous prospects worth staying away from at those positions. With that being said, let’s take a look at some prospects Douglas should be wary of selecting.

A.J. Terrell, Clemson

The Jets need to add some depth at cornerback, but there are certain corners available in this year’s draft that could only compound New York’s issues at the position.

A.J. Terrell is not a bad player by any means. However, he is not a fit in Gregg Williams’ defensive scheme. Terrell comes from a Cover 2 background and does not have a skill set that indicates he could thrive in a more man-heavy scheme. He also got torched by LSU underclassman Ja’Marr Chase in the College Football Playoff title game, causing his draft stock to endure a hit.

Odds are Terrell will wind up with a team that runs a defense that plays more to his strengths. He’s just not the answer to New York’s problems at cornerback.

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Jets Wire’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: New York’s 4-round projection

Jets Wire’s Mock Draft 3.0 has New York landing Louisville OT Mekhi Becton at 11 and Colorado WR Laiska Shenualt Jr. at 48.

With the draft just over a week away, we at the Jets Wire have a new mock out. This projection focuses strictly on the Jets and what they could do through the first four rounds.

The Jets find themselves in an interesting position with the 11th pick. At this point, they seemed destined to take a tackle or a receiver. What they do in the first round may telegraph their plans for the rest of the draft.

In this mock draft, New York adds two wide receivers, two offensive linemen and a cornerback. From there, the Jets have three more picks to work with to add a running back, edge rusher, special teams help or any depth pieces in between.

Let’s take a look at who we think the Jets could take with their first five picks in Jets Wire’s third mock draft.

Round 1:

11. Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville

It’s hard to predict what tackle is going to be available when the Jets pick. It could be none of them or they could be picking between two of the top four. That said, Mekhi Becton is the pick here. He is big, long and athletic at 6-foot-7, 370-pounds. Becton has nimble feet and the versatility to play both tackle positions.

First and foremost, the Jets have got to get better at tackle. While the receiver position is definitely enticing with the 11th pick, this wide receiver class is the deepest in recent memory. The Jets have multiple Day 2 picks to work with in order to upgrade the weapons around Sam Darnold.

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Todd McShay: Sam Darnold more talented than other recent college QBs

ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay said Sam Darnold was more talented than other elite college quarterbacks when he entered the NFL.

Jets quarterback Sam Darnold has not had much to work with in his two seasons in the NFL.

Throughout his rookie season, Darnold’s only consistent target was Robby Anderson. No. 2 receiver Quincy Enunwa missed five games due to injury. Jermaine Kearse regressed after a strong 2017 campaign. Free agent signing Terrell Pryor contributed next to nothing before being released. Chris Herndon performed relatively well, but still caught only 39 passes as he learned the ropes in his rookie year.

In 2019, the Jets made an effort to surround Darnold with some weapons by signing Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder. Crowder developed chemistry with Darnold, but Bell failed to contribute much of anything due to pitiful offensive line play. Enunwa and Herndon appeared in one game each, forcing Darnold to work without one of his starting receivers and a budding tight end.

Darnold has caught plenty of heat for his turnover-prone play in his first two years with the Jets. Some have questioned his ability to read NFL defenses, while others have questioned his arm talent. Throughout all of this, the lack of talent the USC product has been surrounded with frequently flies under the radar.

On Monday, ESPN’s Todd McShay shined a light on the subject. Not only did McShay emphasize that Darnold needs help from his skill position players, but he went as far as saying he was better coming out of college than other recent signal callers that have either entered the NFL in recent years or are preparing to do so in the 2020 draft.

“Sam Darnold was more talented than Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Joe Burrow coming out of college,” McShay said. “Darnold just needs people around him.”

Many will argue against McShay’s opinion, but his tenure as a veteran draft analyst gives his words some credence. The jury is still out on Burrow and Murray, but Mayfield had Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and David Njoku to throw to last season, yet failed to lead the Browns to more wins than Darnold accumulated with the Jets while working with a motley crew of wideouts.

Regardless of McShay’s words, it looks like Darnold will be forced to make due with less yet again in 2020. Bell returns at running back, but it remains to be seen what he can bring to the table in his second year with the Jets. Anderson departed in free agency and his replacement, Breshad Perriman, still has to prove he can consistently produce for a whole season.

On the bright side, Darnold still has Crowder to work with in the slot and the Jets will feature a solid tight end duo in Ryan Griffin and Herndon. Enunwa could return, although it is unclear what kind of impact he can make after a second neck injury. It’s not the most electric group of skill position players in the league, but one that can get open and catch passes.

Could year three be the year Darnold breaks out and separates himself from the quarterbacks he has been compared to for years? Only time will tell. Until then, let the record show that any evaluation of Darnold’s play must take into account how little he has had to work with throughout his professional career.