As the Philadelphia Eagles forge ahead toward Week 1 of the NFL season, one player making significant strides in his new role is offensive lineman Mekhi Becton. Beginning training camp with initial struggles against standout defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Becton's progression has been nothing short of impressive.
Initial Challenges and Growth
Adapting to a new position is never easy, and Becton found himself in a baptism of fire early on. Initially, he struggled against Carter in their matchups. "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 said, reflecting on their early encounters.
However, what sets Becton apart is his ability to learn and adapt at a rapid pace. As the training camp progressed, it became evident that he was not only keeping up with Carter but also beginning to balance their matchups. This improvement did not go unnoticed, earning him the frontrunner spot for the starting right guard position as the team inches closer to their first game.
Preseason Performance
Becton’s preseason debut came against the formidable Baltimore Ravens. As the lone first-team starter on the offense to take the field, the spotlight was on him. He played an impactful eight snaps before making way for backup Tyler Steen. This outing marked Becton’s first time playing right guard in a live game, a fact that highlighted both his inexperience and his potential. "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 remarked.
Support from Teammates and Coaches
The nuances of the right guard position have also been imparted to Becton through mentorship from veteran players like Cam Jurgens. "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.
Landon Dickerson, another key figure in the Eagles' offensive line, also acknowledged Becton's adaptation skills. "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 said.
Focused on the Fundamentals
Integral to Becton’s rapid improvement has been his focus on perfecting the fundamentals of the position. “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 stated. His dedication to refining his footwork and hand placement has played a crucial role in his success.
With the regular season just around the corner, all eyes will be on Becton to see how he translates his training camp gains into game-day performance. The Eagles' offensive line, a critical component for their offensive strategy, will undoubtedly benefit from Becton's adaptability and ongoing growth. If his trajectory continues, Becton’s contribution could be pivotal for the Eagles' success this season.