Mekhi Becton's Evolution at Right Guard
As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the upcoming NFL season, all eyes are on Mekhi Becton, who has embarked on a remarkable journey in training camp. Initially facing challenges, particularly in his matchups with Jalen Carter, Becton has shown significant progress and adaptability, making a compelling case for his role as the starting right guard.
Training camp for Becton began with a rough start when he struggled against Jalen Carter. However, as camp progressed, his resilience and determination became evident. Becton began balancing his matchups more evenly, eventually finding a rhythm with Carter. Becton himself acknowledged this improvement, stating, "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’s performance during training camp has earned him recognition as the frontrunner for the starting right guard position. This decision looms large as the Eagles prepare for Week 1 of the season. The turning point for Becton came in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, where he was the only first-team starter on the offense to take the field. Playing eight snaps before being relieved by Tyler Steen, this game marked Becton’s inaugural outing at right guard in a live scenario. Reflecting on the experience, Becton said, "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."
The support from his teammates and coaching staff has been instrumental in Becton's transition. Cam Jurgens has been particularly helpful, offering guidance on the nuances of the right guard position. Jurgens shared, "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."
Landon Dickerson also acknowledged Becton's quick adjustment to the new position, emphasizing his physical attributes and adaptability. "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," said Dickerson.
Dickerson further praised Becton’s consistent improvement in practice, stating, "For him to make that transition and come inside, and the way he's been able to succeed in doing well in practice, and come out here every day and keep getting better, is impressive."
Becton has been diligent in focusing on his technical skills, particularly his footwork and hand placement—crucial elements for success at right guard. He remains committed to refining these aspects of his game, noting, "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."
As the Eagles' offensive line gears up for the season ahead, Becton's journey from initial struggles to a formidable contender for the starting right guard position stands as a testament to his hard work and adaptability. With the backing of his teammates and the guidance from coach Jeff Stoutland, Becton’s progression promises significant contributions to the Eagles’ success on the field.