Arguably the biggest goal for the New York Jets in the 2024 NFL offseason is remaking their offensive line. They had one of the lowest-graded units in the NFL last season, which played a major part in their offense setting records for ineptitude.
Not having Aaron Rodgers at quarterback certainly didn’t help, as the Jets’ offense was tailored to him. Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Seimian all failed to keep the unit afloat, but they weren’t given much of a chance with how poorly the offensive line played.
The Jets started 13 different combinations in the trenches last season, churning through players because of injuries and ineffective play. One of the players they were hoping would take a step forward was Mekhi Becton.
The No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft was expected to be an anchor of the offensive line for years to come at left tackle. He looked good during his rookie season, but Becton was never able to recapture that level of performance.
Injuries were a big reason why as he played in only one game during the 2021 season and missed the entire 2022 season. Becton did manage to play in 16 out of 17 games this past season, but he doesn’t look to be in the Jets’ future plans.
With the fifth-year option on his rookie contract declined last offseason, Becton is set to hit free agency in a few weeks. In the opinion of NFL Draft Analyst Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, two potential suitors could emerge for the former Louisville product; the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons.
“Tennessee needs an offensive tackle; some would argue the team needs two new players at the position. The need at offensive tackle in Atlanta is not as great, yet what makes this such an intriguing signing is that Falcons offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford was Becton’s position coach at Louisville,” wrote Pauline.
Entering a rebuild, the Titans would present an intriguing landing spot for Becton. They are looking to develop young players on the roster, and bringing in someone with his upside could present a low-risk, high-reward kind of signing.
Offensive tackles are costly, but Becton should come relatively cheap given his track record to this point. The cheap price point, and connection to the coaching staff which Pauline noted, make the Falcons an interesting landing spot as well.
Atlanta has their starting tackle duo locked in with Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary. But, it is never a bad thing to add depth at the position. Working with his collegiate position coach could help Becton develop into a serviceable swing tackle and someone the Falcons could look to eventually make part of their plans along the offensive line.
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