New York Jets: Select Mekhi Becton with 11th Overall Pick – Reaction

New York Jets selected offensive tackle Mekhi Becton from Louisville with the 11th overall pick. The combine standout is a home-run pick for Gang Green.

With the 11th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the  New York Jets select  Mekhi Becton, offensive tackle, University of Louisville!

The former Louisville Cardinals standout brings the Jets their next cornerstone left tackle, a position of need since D’Brickashaw Ferguson‘s retirement in 2016. It has been a rotating door of subpar play at the position for four seasons, but Becton will change that. He is a “plug and play” left tackle who will protect quarterback Sam Darnold‘s blindside for years to come.

The 2020 NFL Draft showcased four offensive tackles who were above and beyond the rest of the field. Mekhi Becton was the tackle with the highest ceiling. He does raise a bit of a concern with his flagged drug test, But Gang Green fans will quickly get past that after watching his tape.

Becton’s measurements from the combine were the story of that entire weekend. The big man from Highland Springs, Va comes in at 6-7, 364-pounds. Even for a left tackle, that’s a monstrous size.

What stood out the most during the combine was his 5.1-second 40-yard dash. Almost unheard of athleticism from man his size. Becton has the tools to bring even more to the table than Ferguson, which is a scary thought.

Gang Green’s priority over the last two seasons has been to help Sam Darnold. Mekhi Becton is an elite pass protector that can give Darnold some peace from rushers attacking from his back-side. The lineman’s quick feet, coupled with his brute strength, give him the base to handle both physical and speed rushers.

Another player who will be glad to be behind Becton is running back Le’Veon Bell. The Jets rushing attach finished 31st in total rushing a season ago. Playing in an offense that was geared to Lamar Jackson in college, Becton will help tremendously here.

The New York Jets hit a home-run with this pick. It’s usually not the “sexy” thing to do, drafting offensive linemen in the first round. To get a player of Becton’s caliber, at a position of need, is the dream scenario. Many New York Jets fans wanted the team to go wide receiver at #11, which is fair.

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For those that wanted to see Jerry Jeudy or Cedee Lamb with this pick, feel free to YouTube search Mekhi Becton’s highlights. Spoiler alert, defensive players get knocked off their feet quite a bit.

With the bevy of talented wide receivers still available, Becton’s first-round selection makes Joe Douglas’s first-ever draft pick a no-brainier. Gang Green fans may still disagree with the thought of a lineman over an impact player early on. One thing is for sure, we can all agree that the #11 pick didn’t go to a defensive tackle.

What do you think about the New York Jets selection of Mekhi Becton in the first round? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.