Jets’ Mekhi Becton Expected To Attend Minicamp

The Jets haven’t seen Mekhi Becton in person this offseason, but that will likely change this week. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports that the offensive tackle is expected to attend mandatory minicamp. 

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Becton chose to skip the voluntary portion of the team’s offseason, in a move which surprised many. He is still one year away from being eligible for an extension, so the decision wasn’t a result of a contract dispute. That, coupled with his injury situation, made his absence somewhat noteworthy.

The 2020 first-rounder played just one game last year due to a knee injury. The recovery from the resulting surgery didn’t go according to plan, adding to the list of health- and conditioning-related concerns which have dogged the early part of his NFL career. Further compounding those issues is the fact that Cimini reports Becton isn’t expected to practice this week.

After losing the Louisville alum in Week 1, the Jets turned to veteran George Fant at left tackle. His level of play there, coupled with the availability concerns related to Becton, has left open the possibility for the latter to play at right tackle. With Morgan Moses having left in free agency, that starting spot is available for him, but a lack of practice reps in the offseason will leave question marks about his effectiveness there.

A return to health will, of course, be the top priority for Becton and the Jets heading into 2022. The team will get a much-needed update on that front if he does attend minicamp, but where he lines up in training camp and the start of the season – along with his level of play – will remain a story worth watching.

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