The Philadelphia Eagles' training camp has been a proving ground for many players, but perhaps few have made as noticeable strides as Mekhi Becton. What began with a rocky start has turned into a showcase of persistent improvement and adaptability for the offensive lineman, positioning him as the likely starter at right guard as the team approaches Week 1 of the season.
Initially, Becton struggled in his matchups with defensive tackle Jalen Carter. But as the weeks rolled on, his performance saw marked improvement. "It's been fun," Becton shared. "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 Becton continued to adjust to the right guard position, his efforts began to pay off visibly. His ability to hold his own against Carter and become more balanced in their matchups did not go unnoticed by his teammates or coaches. With each practice, he showed growing confidence and mastery over the position.
From Practice to Preseason Performance
The culmination of his hard work was on display during the Eagles' preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Becton was the only first-team starter on offense to take the field, playing eight snaps before handing over responsibilities to Tyler Steen. This marked his first time playing right guard in a live game situation. Though the experience was new, Becton approached it pragmatically, emphasizing the importance of learning and adapting. "There's always room for improvement on anything," he stated. "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."
Guidance from Teammates and Coaches
Throughout this transition, Becton has leaned on the wisdom and advice of his fellow linemen. Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson have been particularly supportive, providing both technical insight and encouragement. Jurgens discussed the nuances of the position, saying, "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 has been equally impressed with Becton's ability to adapt swiftly to his new role. "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," he remarked. "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."
Mastering the Fundamentals
At the core of Becton's improvement has been his intense focus on fundamental skills such as footwork and hand placement. "It's still O-line at the end of the day,” Becton noted. “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." This dedication to mastering the essentials has been a key driver of his success in transitioning to right guard.
With the regular season on the horizon, Mekhi Becton's journey from a shaky start to a strong contender for the starting right guard position is a testament to his resilience and work ethic. As he continues to refine his skills and build chemistry with his teammates, the Eagles' offensive line appears to be in capable hands. The upcoming season will no doubt test his mettle further, but if his recent performance is any indicator, Becton is ready to rise to the challenge.