According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles are signing OT Mehki Becton to a one-year contract worth up to $5.5M.
The Eagles are coming off the back of a stunning NFL Draft where they did add two OL prospects, but neither are suited to play tackle. After Jack Driscoll signed a new deal with the Miami Dolphins, depth behind both Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson was left fairly empty. Adding a veteran backup who is capable of stepping in at a moments notice made a ton of sense, and Becton was one of the best names remaining on the open market.
Who is Mehki Becton?
Mehki Becton was a first-round pick back in 2020. At 6’7, 363 lbs, he came out of college looking like a behemoth who was destined for big things. His rookie season certainly built on that promise, with Becton turning plenty of heads after being dropped right into the deep end.
Unfortunately, multiple injuries limited his career upside, although he did end up starting 16 games for the Jets in 2023 after missing the entire 2022 campaign and being limited to a single start in 2021. He graded out at 53.2 last year according to PFF, allowing 12 sacks on 985 offensive snaps.
It’s important to remember that Mehki Becton is only 25-years-old and while durability hasn’t exactly been his calling card, a reduced role in Philadelphia would mean he could get his development back on track away from the rigours of another NFL campaign. Recovering from two separate knee injuries may well have taken its toll on the Louisville product, but if there’s ever a coach who can get him back on the right track, it’s Jeff Stoutland.
It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for the Eagles, who would relish a player of Becton’s potential at tackle. While his 2023 campaign was a far cry from that rookie year, if he can prove 2023 was the exception and work his way back up to full strength, the Eagles could have one of the best backup tackles in the NFL, something that is absolutely needed given how barren the depth behind the starting tandem currently is.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
