General Manager Joe Douglas is a former offensive lineman who took over a team that neglected the offensive line for years. His priority throughout free agency has been upgrading the line and that trend continued in the first round of the NFL draft. With the #11 overall pick they selected offensive tackle Mekhi Becton of Louisville.
Becton is 6’7″ and 364 pounds, so he certainly doesn’t lack much in size. Speed isn’t an issue as he impressed at the combine by running a 5.1 second 40 yard dash.
Here is Becton’s draft profile from NFL.com.
Strengths
- Absolute giant with dense, proportional frame
- Possesses rare 7-foot wingspan
- Booming upper-body power blasts kick-out targets off their feet
- Athletic enough to make his outside zone blocks
- Fits up and runs feet to wash away defenders on lateral blocks
- Potential to mash what’s in front with more work
- Mass can finish what the technique doesn’t
- Inside-out pass sets are well-balanced and smooth
- Well-positioned to chunk hands during slide
- Squeezes down to guard’s hip when outside rush vacates
- Adequate redirect to protect inside post
- Long arms allow for emergency recovery
- Well-positioned to chunk hands during pass set
Weaknesses
- Weight could become a major issue without discipline
- Opens outside half too early in pass sets
- Throws himself off-balance when loading up punch
- Natural quickness limitations require above-average awareness of blitz/twists
- Unable to respond timely to cross-face stunts
- High hands diminish leverage at point of attack
- Needs better patience/control as positional blocker
- Allows himself to work too far ahead of the landmark
- Needs to get length involved in the block sooner
- Needs to cinch and control rather than shoving down blocks/kick-outs