Mekhi Becton's Preseason Performance Elevates His Role on the Eagles' Offensive Line
As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the upcoming NFL season, the spotlight shines brightly on Mekhi Becton, whose impressive progress during training camp and preseason games has solidified his standing as a key player for the team's offensive line. His journey from initial struggles to becoming a frontrunner for the starting right guard position has captured the attention of both coaches and teammates.
Becton's early days at training camp were marked by challenging matchups against Jalen Carter, a test that initially highlighted areas needing improvement. However, it didn’t take long for Becton to recalibrate, showing marked advancement as camp progressed. His evolution was characterized by a more balanced performance against Carter, exemplifying his adaptive prowess and resilience.
"It's been fun. We had a little back and forth today. We went against each other and you know I'm starting to catch up to him. I'm starting to get his number. We're starting to get each other's numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron," Becton reflected on his battles with Carter.
Stepping into the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, Becton was the lone first-team offensive starter to take the field, underlining the coaching staff's confidence in his abilities. Playing eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen, this outing marked his first live game experience at right guard—an uncharted territory for Becton up until that point.
"There's always room for improvement on anything. This was the first time I ever played right guard in a live game. Of course, I'm gonna look at the film with Stout [Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland] and figure out what we need to do. We'll come together and combine it," Becton noted about his transition and the upcoming steps in his development.
Becton's integration into this new role hasn't been a solitary endeavor. Guidance from teammates like Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson has been instrumental in his swift adaptation. Jurgens offered insights into the subtleties of the position, particularly the variability of defensive techniques and the corresponding adjustments required in footwork.
"A lot of it's talking about angles and where I want him to be and just how different every D-lineman plays. You're going to have two gappers, penetrators, different guys play different techniques, so figuring out how the footwork changes from each defensive guy and where that linebacker is and if we have certain motions where it may change our footwork," Jurgens explained.
Dickerson recognized Becton's physical attributes as a natural fit for the right guard position and praised his performance as he transitioned from tackle. "A little bit of an adjustment for him, but the way he's built, the way he can move with his long arms, his reach, his lateral quickness, I think right now he's really excelling at that position. And it is an adjustment, but he's handling it extremely well," Dickerson remarked.
Becton's diligent focus on refining his footwork and hand techniques has not gone unnoticed, and both his peers and coaches are optimistic about the impact his improvement will have on the team's overall performance. The consistent praise underscores a collective belief in his potential to cement his role in the starting lineup.
"It's still O-line at the end of the day. I still gotta get my hands. I still gotta do my footwork. It's just all about attacking my footwork and I did attack it," Becton emphasized, reflecting his commitment to mastering the intricacies of the right guard role.
The Eagles' offensive line will undoubtedly benefit from Becton's progress, and his ability to quickly adjust and excel at right guard speaks volumes about his versatility and work ethic. As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on Becton to see how his preseason preparation translates into game-day success, potentially fortifying the Eagles' offensive strategies and execution.