Mekhi Becton on track to win Eagles RG job

At first he saw working as a guard as a possible swing option, Mekhi Becton has taken that experiment to an unexpected place. The former Jets' potential long-term left tackle is ready to open the season as the Eagles' starting guard.

Becton has all but secured the right guard position in Philly, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The player Becton was primarily competing with, Tyler Steensuffered an ankle injury in the Eagles' second preseason game. Becton had already hoped to get this job.

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This will be an intriguing opportunity for Becton to rebound after injuries derailed his career in New York. Becton received a one-year, $2.75 million contract from the Eagles in May. He is well behind his 2020 first-round classmates. Andrew Thomas And Tristan WirfsAnd Jedrick Wills – whenever he returns from a knee injury – will remain the Browns' left tackle. Becton's comeback attempt will instead take place as a guard on one of the NFL's best offensive lines in recent years.

The Eagles need a new right guard because Jason KelceRetirement, with 2023 RG Cam Jurgens Kicking inwards into the centre. The Eagles have replaced the previously eliminated centre-backs with internal solutions. Landon Dickerson replaced Brandon Brooks in 2021, while Jürgens is Isaac Seumalo in 2023. Steen seemed to be the latest interior blocker to be added to the lineup, but Becton changed those plans.

Becton, 25, has never played as a guard snap in an NFL game. Louisville also used him as a tackle. But the Eagles moved the former No. 11 pick inside during their offseason program. At the start of training camp, Becton made room for Steen. But the 2023 third-round pick's initial ankle injury, sustained in training camp, accelerated Becton's rise. It seems unlikely he will give the job back before Week 1.

Veterans Brett Toth And Nick Gates are in the race for the backup jobs; the team also has rookies from the fifth round Trevor Keegan en route to a backup position. Becton left practice on Sunday with a leg injury, prompting Toth to step in. But the 6-foot-4 blocker returned on Tuesday. Injuries kept Becton off the field for 33 games in 2021-22, and weight issues hampered him in New York as well. Becton weighed about 400 pounds early in his career and slimmed down to nearly 340 pounds last year. After winning the RT job with the Jets, Becton split time between New York's tackle positions and missed just one game.

Becton's injury history is a red flag for the Eagles, but the team has some options in case the blocker suffers another setback in year five. As it stands, the right side of Philly's O-line will consist of first-rounders, with Michael Johnson Entry into the 12th grade.