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Questions about New York Jets’ tackle Mekhi Becton’s weight and conditioning have followed him since before he even entered the NFL.
Becton’s weight was a big reason why a number of NFL teams were wary about the Louisville prospect heading into the 2020 NFL Draft before the Jets selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in the first round.
The gargantuan tackle had a solid rookie season, starting in 13 of the 14 games which he appeared in for New York. But his 2021 season wasn’t as success. Becton suffered a knee injury early in the season. He was then put on injured reserve and played just one time in his entire sophomore campaign.
That’s when things got dicey. Becton was only supposed to miss 4-8 weeks, but his rehab process did not go according to plan. Part of issue, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, was that Becton ballooned in weight to more than 400 pounds while dealing with his injury.
Since then, the young tackle has reportedly worked with a nutritionist to get in better shape heading into the 2022 season. Jets head coach Robert Saleh seems happy with the work that Becton has done.
Robert Saleh on Mekhi Becton losing weight:
"He got himself into football shape. He's a gifted athlete, he's a gifted man. I'm really excited about the direction he's going. He definitely took a big step forward."#Jets
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) July 27, 2022
Becton also embraced a move from right tackle to left tackle after New York drafted Alabama’s Evan Neal with the seventh pick in the 2022 draft.
But Cimini claims the third-year tackle still isn’t up to snuff when it comes to getting in game shape.
Mekhi Becton has been laboring through the early portion of practice (OL drills). Took a knee off to the side. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) July 28, 2022
Becton immediately fired back.
Make sure you say the part when i still grinded through practice you weirdo https://t.co/u0Zy3nHqm2
— Trending Topic 🤷🏾♂️ (@BigTicket73) July 28, 2022
The New York Jets begin the season on Sept. 11 against the Baltimore Ravens, and if quarterback Zach Wilson is going to have any success at all, he’ll need a healthy, in-shape Becton protecting him.
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