Mekhi Becton: A Journey of Growth in the Eagles' Training Camp

Mekhi Becton: A Journey of Growth in the Eagles' Training Camp

As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for the upcoming NFL season, one name has been circulating through training camp conversations: Mekhi Becton. Initially starting camp with some challenges, particularly in matchups against standout defensive lineman Jalen Carter, Becton has shown a remarkable trajectory of improvement.

Coming out of the gate, Becton struggled against Carter, but as camp progressed, he demonstrated significant growth. These early struggles seemed to fuel his determination. "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're working. Iron sharpens iron," Becton candidly remarked.

By the time the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens rolled around, Becton had not only balanced his contests with Carter but had emerged as the frontrunner for the Eagles' starting right guard position. This game was particularly notable as Becton was the sole first-team starter on the offense to take the field, marking his first foray into live gameplay at right guard. In just eight snaps, before making way for Tyler Steen, Becton began to solidify his capabilities in this new role.

In reviewing his performance, Becton showed an introspective and proactive stance towards improvement. "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," he detailed, highlighting his commitment to refining his craft alongside his coach.

Guidance from teammates has also played a crucial role in Becton's adaptation. Veteran players like Cam Jurgens have been instrumental. Jurgens described the nuances of the position, emphasizing the importance of understanding different defensive strategies and adjusting footwork accordingly. "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.

Becton's rapid adjustment has not gone unnoticed. Fellow lineman Landon Dickerson praised his ability to transition effectively. "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 noted. Dickerson's acknowledgment of Becton's swift adaptation speaks volumes about the latter's potential impact on the team.

Focus areas like footwork and hand placement have been cornerstones of Becton's training regimen. "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 shared, underscoring the fundamentals that are key to mastering his new position.

Looking ahead to Week 1 of the season, Becton's improvement and adaptability are set to be vital for the Eagles' offensive line. His journey from initial struggles to becoming a pivotal player in the lineup reflects not only his personal growth but also the dynamic and supportive environment fostered by the Eagles organization. As Becton continues to hone his skills, the anticipation builds regarding how his development will influence the team's performance in the coming season.