Mekhi Becton's Journey Through Eagles Training Camp

As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for the upcoming NFL season, all eyes are on Mekhi Becton, whose journey through training camp has been nothing short of transformative. Initially, Becton struggled in his matchups against Jalen Carter, but his perseverance and adaptability have made him a frontrunner for the starting right guard position.

Early Struggles and Rapid Improvement

Becton's introduction to training camp saw him facing formidable challenges, particularly from Jalen Carter. Reflecting on their initial encounters, Becton admitted, "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 others' numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron."

As training camp progressed, Becton found his footing, literally and figuratively. His improvement was evident, and he began to balance his matchups with Carter more evenly. This rapid development didn't go unnoticed, and by the time the Eagles were gearing up for their first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, Becton had solidified his status as the leading candidate for the right guard position.

First Preseason Game: A Milestone

The preseason opener against the Ravens marked a significant milestone for Becton. He was the only first-team starter on the offense to take the field, playing eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen. This game was particularly noteworthy as it was Becton's first experience playing right guard in a live game. Reflecting on the experience, Becton stated, "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."

Mentorship and Team Support

Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson, fellow linemen, have been instrumental in Becton's adjustment to the right guard position. Jurgens shared insights into the complexity of the role, noting, "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."

Dickerson echoed Jurgens' sentiments, praising Becton's rapid adjustment and athletic qualities. "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. He further lauded Becton's transition, adding, "For him to make that transition and come inside, and the way he's been able to succeed in doing well in practice, and come out here every day and keep getting better, is impressive."

Focus on Fundamentals

Becton’s commitment to mastering the fundamentals of the right guard position has been a critical factor in his development. He has placed significant emphasis on refining his footwork and hand placement, recognizing their importance in his new role. "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 remarked.

The ongoing improvement of Mekhi Becton is a promising sign for the Eagles' offensive line as they look ahead to the regular season. The combination of his natural athleticism, dedication to mastering the new position, and the support from his teammates and coaches bodes well for the young lineman. As the regular season approaches, Becton's journey will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, with high hopes that his performance will anchor the Eagles' offensive front.