Becton for Backup

Following the conclusion of the NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles are once again hitting the free agent market to shore up remaining needs.

The team is addressing the swing tackle position, reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million with former first round pick Mekhi Becton per ESPN.

Offensive line help in Philadelphia: Former Jets first-round draft choice Mekhi Becton plans to sign a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million with the Eagles, pending a physical Monday, per his agents Alan Herman and Jared Fox. Becton is expected to be the Eagles swing tackle. pic.twitter.com/3GFyNupDOb

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2024

Becton was a highly touted prospect out of Louisville entering the 2020 NFL Draft, where he was taken with the 11th overall pick by the New York Jets.

After starting 13 games in his rookie season, the injury bug began to bite and limited Becton to just one game between the 2021 and 2022 seasons with multiple major knee injuries.

He made a return to start 16 games in 2023 at both left and right tackle for a struggling Jets line.

Though he has not lived up to his first-round expectations, the Eagles bring him in as a much-needed backup in case of injury to elite starters Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, betting that legendary o-line coach Jeff Stoutland can take advantage of his hulking size of 6’7, 363 pounds and turn him into a reliable player.

The Eagles selected two interior linemen on day three of the draft with Michigan’s Trevor Keegan and Dylan McMahon out of NC State and additionally added Matt Hennessy through free agency.

Before Becton, the team had yet to make an addition at tackle other than signing 2022 fifth round pick Darian Kinnard to a futures deal. Other tackles on the roster behind Mailata and Johnson include Fred Johnson and Le’Raven Clark, both who have been with the organization for multiple seasons.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.