Mekhi Becton began training camp with the Eagles, initially experiencing some difficulties in matchups with standout player Jalen Carter. However, as the camp progressed, Becton showed significant improvement, gradually finding a balance in his matchups with Carter. This level of improvement has positioned Becton as the frontrunner for the starting position at right guard for the Eagles as they prepare for Week 1 of the season.
The preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens saw Becton take the field as the only first-team starter on the offense. During this game, he played eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen. This was Becton's first time playing right guard in a live game, marking an important milestone in his career. Reflecting on his performance, Becton emphasized the importance of reviewing game film with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. "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," Becton stated.
As Becton adjusts to his new role, advice from his teammates has been invaluable. Cam Jurgens has offered guidance on the nuances of the right guard position. "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," Jurgens explained.
Landon Dickerson also acknowledged Becton's swift adjustment to the position, praising his ongoing success and improvement. "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 commented. He further added, "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."
Becton has emphasized focusing on his footwork and hands as key aspects of mastering the right guard 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," he remarked. His improvement and adaptability will be crucial for the Eagles' offensive line as they look to fortify their lineup for the upcoming season.
In his reflective moments, Becton shared his thoughts on matching up against Jalen Carter. "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 other's numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron," he said, highlighting the growth in his competitive spirit and skills.
Overall, the progress Mekhi Becton has made during training camp has not gone unnoticed. His dedication to improvement, willingness to learn from both coaches and teammates, and natural athletic abilities have all contributed to his anticipated starting role as right guard. As the Eagles gear up for the new season, Becton's performance will be a key component to watch, potentially playing a pivotal role in the team's offensive success.