Analysis
8/9/22
2 min read
Mekhi Becton Out For The Year
New York Jets’ Tackle Mekhi Becton appears as though he will miss the entire 2022 NFL season. The former first-round pick left practice early on Monday, according to Rich Cimini. Today, Ian Rapoport broke the news that Becton has an injury to his right knee cap that will likely sideline him for the entire season. Becton's loss is a major blow to second-year Head Coach Robert Saleh and his squad.
#Jets OT Mekhi Becton has suffered an avulsion fracture of the right knee cap, per me and @MikeGarafolo. He’s seeing a surgeon tomorrow, but likely is out for the year. Brutal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022
Our Scout Weighs in
“2022 was already a ‘prove it’ year for Becton,” said T.J. McCreight, The 33rd Team’s Head of Scouting. “He needs to show he was worthy of getting picked 11th overall. He has had weight issues and injury issues already in his young career, and now he is hurt before the first pre-season game! We are barely in August, and from the Jets' perspective: They picked him ahead of Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs has made a Pro Bowl and has 33 starts. The fact you can’t count on Becton really puts the team in a bind.”
Despite earlier reports that the knee was no concern to Head Coach Robert Saleh, it appears the team’s optimism was unfounded. Saleh spoke to reports this afternoon and was asked about Becton’s status.
"We love Mekhi. We appreciate everything he's done. His ride is not over. His story is not over." - Coach Saleh pic.twitter.com/Jisqk0uuK9
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 9, 2022
Replacing Becton
With Becton's loss all but certain, the Jets signed a veteran offensive lineman, Caleb Benenoch, on Monday evening. Reports also indicate that there may be mutual interest between the Jets and free agent tackle Duane Brown.
"Once Joe Douglas finishes exhaling, he needs to call Duane Brown. Get the free-agent tackle signed now."
After a scare with Mekhi Becton, the Jets need to reinforce their offensive line by bringing in Duane Brown (via @Connor_J_Hughes) https://t.co/vCzgqLyp1K pic.twitter.com/4OFgX84gMh
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 8, 2022
Brown visited the Jets this past weekend and would potentially give the team a veteran replacement for Becton. With young Quarterback Zach Wilson— the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft— in his second season with the team, the Jets will want to try and keep the pocket clean so their potential franchise QB has the time he needs to lead them to victory.