Mekhi Becton's Transition and Prospects with the Eagles
In a move that showed his willingness to adapt and prove his worth, Mekhi Becton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in May. Though originally expected to serve as a backup to tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, the Eagles envisioned him playing an essential role at guard.
Becton's journey to Philadelphia comes after a stint with the New York Jets, where he faced challenges with injuries and inconsistent performance. Despite these setbacks, the Eagles have tasked him with filling the gap at left guard during the team's mandatory minicamp. This move was necessary due to Landon Dickerson's absence for personal reasons, followed by a lacerated toe injury.
Even as Becton has adapted to the interior line position, he has expressed confidence in his ability to adjust. "It's an adjustment, but it's not a hard adjustment. I can do it," he said. His keen focus on learning and improvement has been evident, with Becton noting, "I just learn from everybody all day every day. It's a fun thing to do."
As training camp progresses, Becton is competing for the starting right guard spot, challenging Tyler Steen. However, he acknowledged that he hadn't yet played right guard, indicating room for further growth. Yet, he remains the first call to fill any void at the guard position, thanks to his impressive arm length, which he sees as an advantage over typical defensive tackles. "I feel like I don't really know the disadvantages yet, but the advantages would be my arm length compared to defensive tackles and stuff like that," Becton observed.
The transition from tackle to guard has its unique challenges, as Becton elaborated. "Guard, it happens way faster. You don't have time to say, you just gotta settle with what you gotta settle with. Your feet don't have time to set up what you gotta set up. It's real faster. It's right away. Your hands gotta be ready to fire right away," he explained. This contrasts starkly with his experience at tackle, where players have a bit more time to react and assess the defensive setup. "At tackle, you got a little bit of time to see what [the defense] is doing. You have time to figure out if you're in the right spot or not," he added.
Becton's readiness to step up whenever needed underscores his commitment and adaptability. His attitude reflects a professional who understands the volatile nature of NFL roles. "I know I'm not, like that wasn't the thing when they signed me here. I don't have to get ready. I just know when my number is called I'm always gonna be ready," he stated.
His determination to secure a starting position is palpable. "If I can start, I'll start. If I don't, I'll be ready," Becton said, a clear reflection of his resolve to contribute to the team's success, regardless of his designated role. The coming weeks of training camp and preseason games will undoubtedly test his ability to adjust and perform under pressure, but Becton appears unfazed by the uncertainty of his exact role. "I don't know what I'm gonna be when I come in here. Once I step on the field, I know I gotta be ready for whatever," he affirmed.
Becton's journey with the Eagles is just beginning, and his ability to adapt to new positions while staying prepared for any opportunity speaks volumes about his professional mindset. As the Eagles continue their preparations for the upcoming season, Becton's role, whether as a starter or a reliable backup, will be vital in shaping the team's offensive line dynamics.