Tag: Jets tackles

Jets rookie Mekhi Becton backing up pre-draft confidence

Mekhi Becton is proving that he was the most dominant player in his draft class.

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.

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.

Mekhi Becton out for remainder of game vs. Colts

Mekhi Becton is for the rest of the Jets’ game against the Colts with a shoulder injury.

The Jets don’t have a lot of things going for them in 2020, but Mekhi Becton was the one sure thing. He is now injured.

New York announced that Becton is out for the rest of Sunday’s game against the Colts with a shoulder injury. Connor McDermott is in at left tackle for the injured Becton.

The Jets now have both their backup tackles in the game with Chuma Edoga in for George Fant, who was ruled out before the game with a concussion.

Becton has been one of the few positives for the Jets this season. He’s been an absolute stud at left tackle in his first couple of games in the NFL. Becton has made highlight-reel pancakes and has done a solid job protecting Sam Darnold’s blindside.

Becton’s loss is huge for the Jets, even if it’s just the rest of this game. All the Jets can hope for is that it’s a minor shoulder injury and Becton won’t be out for too long.

The start of something new: Mekhi Becton explains why he wants to wear No. 77 with Jets

Jets rookie Mekhi Becton wanted to try something new in deciding to wear No. 77.

Jets rookie Mekhi Becton wants to start his NFL career with a brand new number.

Becton wore No. 73 at Louisville and No. 70 in high school. However, he doesn’t want to wear either of those numbers now that he’s a pro. Part of that has to do with No. 73 being retired for Jets Ring of Honor member Joe Klecko. As for No. 70, Becton didn’t feel very comfortable in it. So now he’s hoping to give No. 77 a shot.

“I wanted to try something new,” Becton told reporters Monday. “I didn’t feel right in 70, that’s my high school number. And then 73 is retired. So I feel like 77 is just a different journey, a new journey to start.”

Becton made the request to wear No. 77 but has yet to receive word if he’s secured it.

“I’ve talked to Joe Douglas about it. I told him that I wanted to wear 77,” Becton said. “I don’t know if I got it yet or not.”

Five Jets have worn No. 77, but the number hasn’t carried much weight. The most notable player to wear No. 77 for Gang Green was Kris Jenkins, who wore it for three seasons. Randy Thomas, Kenny Neil, Carl Barzilauskas and James Carpenter have also had No. 77.

Becton has a chance to make No. 77 a special number in Jets history. He was taken by the Jets with the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft and has a ton of upside.

At 6-foot-7, 364 pounds, Becton has all the physical assets to be an elite tackle. He just needs to improve upon his technique, both in the running and passing game. With some coaching and reps, that can be cleaned up.

Until then, Becton will have to wait it out until he gets his number choice approved by the Jets.

Jets’ George Fant doesn’t care what side of the line he plays on

George Fant isn’t worried about what position he plays for the Jets. He just wants to get on the field.

George Fant doesn’t care how he gets on the field. He just wants to play.

The lineman signed with the Jets this offseason expecting to play left tackle. However, with the addition of rookie Mekhi Becton, that seems unlikely now. Now Fant’s best shot at playing will come at right tackle, a position that he has some familiarity with, though not as much as the left side.

No matter, though. Fant will take his snaps wherever the Jets want him.

“I don’t want to get that deep into it,” Fant said, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “It’s not about a position, it’s about getting on the field.”

The 27-year-old will have to compete at right tackle with Chuma Edoga if Becton secures the left tackle job. Fant should have an advantage there given that he has more NFL experience.

Fant has started 24 of 46 games over his four-year career. He got a late start to football because he played basketball at Western Kentucky. Fant didn’t start playing football until he used his fifth year of eligibility to join Western Kentucky’s team.

That has made Fant into a work in progress. He has all the physical tools to play tackle at 6-foot-5, 322 pounds. However, he did not show the technical skills to be a full-time starter in Seattle.

The Jets love Fant’s athleticism and size, though. They view him as a tackle who can swing out on the run and create open holes. Fant’s biggest problems come in pass protection, mainly because of his feet. Edge rushers feed on using their speed to get past Fant.

He’s going to have to improve on that aspect of his game if he hopes to land a starting job on the Jets offensive line.

WATCH: Highlights of new Jets OT Cameron Clark

Here are highlights of new Jets offensive tackle Cameron Clark at Charlotte.

The New York Jets have taken their second offensive tackle of this year’s draft in Charlotte’s Cameron Clark.

Clark is another large offensive tackle at 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds. He ran a 5.29-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in February. While Clark played left tackle at Charlotte, he may be better suited at guard. He showed flashes of being really dominant, but not consistently. At Charlotte in 2019, Clark was named first-team all-conference in Conference USA.

Here are some highlights of Clark in 2019 in a game against Clemson:

Jets brass explains why Mekhi Becton was Joe Douglas’ 1st pick as GM

Joe Douglas, Rex Hogan, Adam Gase explain why Mekhi Becton was the Jets’ first round pick.

Mekhi Becton was the top player on the Jets’ board when Joe Douglas made the Louisville tackle the 11th pick in the 2020 draft.

Douglas took Becton after worrying that the top four offensive tackles would be gone with the first 10 picks. However, once the Cardinals didn’t take a tackle, Douglas knew the Jets would have at least one available to them. And so, Becton became Douglas’ first pick as a general manager.

“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.”

Douglas added that he loves Becton’s 6-foot-7, 364-pound frame and ability to “move people off the ball.” He also called Becton’s 5.10-second 40-yard dash time “eye-opening.”

Douglas’ assistant GM, Rex Hogan, also took note of Becton’s ability to keep players away from the quarterback. “The guy moves people like furniture,” Hogan said.

Adam Gase chimed in as well, explaining how Becton’s going to bring in some intensity to the offensive line.

“He brings an edge for us,” Gase said. “He brings nasty to our offensive line room.”

Becton is a scary dude at his size. He’ll have to get his weight down slightly, but not many players will get past him his massive build. Meanwhile, the Jets can slide him in a left tackle or right tackle.

Clearly, everyone on One Jets Drive is thrilled with the Becton pick. They knew all along that they needed to do everything in their power to protect Sam Darnold. Douglas started that process by signing multiple offensive linemen in free agency and continued it in the first round of the draft with the Becton pick.

Now, he has to find the quarterback some weapons.

WATCH: Highlights of new Jets OT Mekhi Becton

Chek out these highlights of new Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.

The New York Jets have found their man to protect Sam Darnold’s blindside in Louisville’s Mekhi Becton.

Becton is the one of the biggest players in this year’s draft standing at 6-foot-7, 364 pounds. A former basketball player, he’s also a freak athlete who ran a 5.1-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Becton can play both tackle spots, as he started 12 games last season for Louisville with 10 games at left tackle and two games at right tackle. The biggest concerns with Becton entering the draft were his weight and his flagged drug test at the combine, but Jets officials obviously didn’t make much of either.

Here are some highlights from Becton’s Louisville career:

Jets sign former Seahawks OT George Fant to 3-year deal

The Jets have finally made a move in free agency.

The Jets have finally made a move in free agency.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets have reached an agreement with former Seahawks offensive tackle George Fant. It’s a three-year deal worth $30 million with $13.7 million guaranteed.

Fant will turn 28 in July but doesn’t have a lot of starting experience. In three years with Seattle, Fant started 24 games at left tackle. Last season, he played 266 pass-blocking snaps and only allowed two sacks and two quarterback hits.

According to Pro Football Focus, Fant was the 62nd ranked tackle last year among those that played 20 percent of snaps.

Fant, 6-foot-5 and 322 pounds, was originally a basketball player. He played college hoops at Western Kentucky before playing two games at tight end for the Hilltoppers. The Seahawks signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

Fant is primarily a left tackle but can play right tackle if needed. This move, however, shouldn’t stop the Jets from adding at either position.

Surely, the Jets are going to look for another tackle in the draft, but Fant is insurance if need be. It’s a low-risk signing that gives the Jets a starting-caliber tackle for the time being.