Louisville offensive tackle and projected first-round pick Mekhi Becton had his drug test flagged at the NFL Combine, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Becton was one of “multiple players” to get flagged, and teams had previously been made aware of this infraction.
As Rapoport notes, the lineman will now enter Stage 1 of the new CBA’s Intervention Program for no more than 60 days. If Becton isn’t flagged again, “he will thereafter assume the same status as Players who have never been referred to the Intervention Program.” As Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller observes on Twitter, “failed drug tests” clearly don’t matter as much under the new CBA.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com also observes how the NFL “continues to periodically violate” their own confidentiality provision. The league’s substance abuse policy has a “clear” confidentiality provision, but NFL.com, an entity owned by the league, has reported on Becton’s flagged drug test. As the writer notes, “no one should know about any failed or flagged drug tests until a player is suspended.” Following the changes to the drug policy in the new CBA, it wouldn’t be shocking if the players push back at the NFL’s “nonchalance.”
Becton, a 6-7, 369-pound lineman, had a breakout season in 2019. While Rotoworld.com previously described him as an incomplete technician, it lauded his measurables, strength, and toughness. Plus, as Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk observed, advanced metrics were high on Becton’s work, as he made over 60 knockdown blocks this past year. It’s worth noting that Becton didn’t fail a drug test during his time at Louisville.
The Giants and Jets are among the teams that have been connected to Becton.
I’d still take him top 15
Bears – legal in Illinois
Lol fool is going in the top 10 not falling to the 2nd round, won’t even make it to ur 1st round pick we own
I’d rather have Mack
Yep my boys ravens found a gem in brown. Hope he falls, but we dont need em tho.
Another genius that can’t keep it together through the job interview and hiring process…
Laremy Tunsil literally had a gas mask on for smoking weed and still went in the top 20.
I’m not too concerned about becton. When he’s pushing Josh Gordon pacing then I’d be concerned.
yea but tunsil was a different case his was years before not during the predraft stuff . but I agree one time I can over look it a bit but Josh Gordon type of thing u just can’t
Agreed. I think most teams are smart enough now not to pass on someone they rate highly because of a little weed.
He’s probably in lock down, too. It’s not like he can hold public workouts for scouts or really do much of anything. Who cares if he’s getting high?
Yea but Tunsil was believed to go number 1 overall so landing in the top 20 after that picture broke sure hurt him big time!
If the kid smoked grass who cares. It’s legal in quite a few states.
The only reason it becomes a problem is scouts are already worried his weight might balloon up
Its not a problem in that fact that he might have done it. Its a problem because he knows not to do it, and that shows a lack of self discipline. In the NFL he has to learn his craft and that takes an insane amount of discipline.Luke kueckley and Joe Thomas werent the most talented players but they devoted themselves to becoming the best. Manziel, Gordon, randy gregory… the list goes on of players with immense talent who couldnt control themselves off the field.
exactly. beyond just the fact that there is no guarantee that the league is going to be as lenient as they say on testing, punishment, etc, there is a correlation with guys who get caught using and underperformance. drugs, from the most harmless to the most harmful, have the ability to cause at least an in-the-moment mental change. (that is kinda what their purposes are after all) to act like it isnt a red flag is crazy.
Exactly, less of a legal/rule thing and more of a lack of mental capacity. Do you really want to bank on some moron that couldn’t lay off the stuff leading up to the combine and draft?
Please dont refer to Mike Florio as a writer, well, not a legitimate one anyway.