Philadelphia Eagles Prepping OT Mekhi Becton For Big Position Change - Report

The Philadelphia Eagles could try to make former New York Jets first-round draft pick Mekhi Becton a guard after playing tackle all his life

Ed Kracz

Mekhi Becton, a guard?

Based on a report from Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds podcast, it could happen for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Becton has never played guard in his life. His size has always made him a tackle. At 6-7, 364 pounds, he would probably be the biggest player to ever play that position in the NFL.

There’s a long way to go before that could happen. First, offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland will have to determine whether Becton’s footwork is up to par, and it would be a big adjustment for Becton. Some players who made the switch describe it as "going from playing on an island to playing in a phone booth.”

If you don’t remember phone booths, Google one. You’ll find the quarters are tight inside one.

Would Becton even fit inside with that bulk?

It’s a fascinating proposal.

Equally fascinating will be the right guard competition, which will begin taking baby steps on May 20, when Phase Two of the offseason begins. During OTAs, players can move from the weight and meeting rooms and begin taking the field for drills.

The right guard competition will be heated. Of course, it was supposed to be a battle last year between Cam Jurgens and rookie Tyler Steen. Jurgens was never threatened and won that job despite never playing that position.

That is why you cannot underestimate Stoutland's ability to teach a player unfamiliar with a position the proper technique necessary to move from a position of comfort.

Stoutland lobbied the Eagles to sign Becton, so he may very well have something more up his sleeve than Becton simply being a backup swing tackle behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson.

Jurgens is expected to take Jason Kelce’s spot at center this season.

Steen will be in the right guard mix once again.

Matt Hennessy was signed as a free agent, and though he has played mostly center, the Temple product can also play right guard.

The Eagles also drafted a guard, Trevor Keegan. Though he played primarily on the left side, Keegan said he and Zach Zinter would switch sides during Michigan’s practices.

Dylan McMahon was the Eagles' final pick in the draft, coming out of N.C. State in the sixth round, No. 90 overall, is viewed primarily as a center, but he can also play guard.

That’s four players right there. Becton would be five if he can learn how to play it.

A first-round draft pick of the New York Jets, the 11th player taken overall in the 2020 draft, Becton has had some trouble staying healthy, missing the entire 2022 season with a knee injury. He started 16 games last year at tackle.

Stoutland will want his five best players to start up front. If one of them is Becton, that would make things very interesting for this offensive line.

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-today/news/philadelphia-eagles-sign-mekhi-becton-position-change-offensive-line-jeff-stoutland

Dickerson is a big Guard? Could they work with him to lose say 20 pounds during the offseason? They have a need at RG there’s no doubt. They have brought Becton in so I’m all for looking at ways they can use him. If it doesn’t work but you see a guy with the tools you like then you keep him around as a swing tackle.

8 hours ago, Procus said:

Based on a report from Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds podcast, it could happen for the Philadelphia Eagles.

So basically just speculation to pass the time? I mean, cool if it happens and he wins the competition for the open RG spot, but it doesn't seem like this story is really based on anything.

6 minutes ago, Kz! said:

So basically just speculation to pass the time? I mean, cool if it happens and he wins the competition for the open RG spot, but it doesn't seem like this story is really based on anything.

"Based on a report from Geoff Mosher" ... wonder what that "report" was exactly.  Does he have an inside source that told him that was the plan or is Geoff just offering an opinion on what could happen?  You are likely right in that it is the latter.  We shall see.    

True what you both say that the sourcing is specious - but think about it.  What if they were to give Becton a shot at RG, and what if he would turn out to be a beast.  Wasn't so long ago that Brandon Brooks helped change the Eagles fortune when he was healthy and dominating.

11 hours ago, Procus said:

True what you both say that the sourcing is specious - but think about it.  What if they were to give Becton a shot at RG, and what if he would turn out to be a beast.  Wasn't so long ago that Brandon Brooks helped change the Eagles fortune when he was healthy and dominating.

I do hope they give him a look there ... it can't hurt.  

5 hours ago, time2rock said:

I do hope they give him a look there ... it can't hurt.  

That’s pretty much how I feel. What do they have to lose? He’s a talented player who’s not shown it in the NFL. What’s the worst that happens? They cut him?