When the New York Jets selected Louisville’s Mekhi Becton with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the franchise believed they got their left tackle of the future. While they got the tackle thing right, it turns out they were wrong about the side of the offensive line.
The Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh confirmed on Wednesday that Becton is set to move to the right tackle position in 2022. Veteran George Fant, who stepped in when Becton got hurt last season, will continue protecting QB Zach Wilson’s blind side.
“We made a decision that was best for the team,” Saleh told reporters. “George had a fantastic year last year at left tackle.”
However, Saleh isn’t closing down the door on Becton possibly regaining his old position down the line.
“That doesn’t mean that Mekhi’s left tackle days are over,” he added. “But right now, he’s young enough … to make that transition.”
The decision might significantly impact Mekhi Becton’s future in the NFL, especially if he continues being viewed as a right tackle in the future. The left tackle comes with much more prestige, while the position is also more handsomely paid. The top paid RT in the league is Ramczyk Ryan Ramczyk (New Orleans Saints), with a $19.2 million average annual salary, while the best-paid LT is Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers, who receives $23 million annually.
