The Jacksonville Jaguars have a new general manager in James Gladstone, and one of the biggest things on his to-do list this offseason will be to fortify the offensive trenches. The good news is that he'll have a wide array of options in both free agency and the draft. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes that one of them comes with high risk but also with massive upside.
Knox drew up a list of high-risk, high-reward players slated to hit the open market in 2025, and right guard offensive guard Mekhi Becton made the cut.
Regarding the inclusion of Becton on the list, Knox points out that he delivered last season but had previously struggled to get healthy, and when he was, he was underwhelming.
"The upside to signing Becton is tremendous. If he really has found his calling as a guard, he could help solidify an offensive interior for the next decade. He's shown that he can play at a high level and now carries Super Bowl experience.
However, Becton's poor play before 2024 and his noteworthy injury history can't be ignored. Yes, he was mostly healthy this past season and played extremely well. However, he was surrounded by a top-notch offensive line and a masterful line coach in Philly's Jeff Stoutland."
Now, there are no indications that the Jaguars are planning to pursue Becton in free agency, but he would most definitely be a fit. Spotrac projects him to get an annual salary of $10.2 million. A first-round selection by the New York Jets, the Louisville product missed 37 games with a myriad of ailments, and when he wasn't available, he left much to be desired.
After four underwhelming seasons, the Jets moved on from Becton. He quickly joined the Philadelphia Eagles on a modest one-year deal and made the switch to guard after playing offensive tackle throughout most of his football career.
Beckton went on to have a career season in Philly, giving up a respectable five sacks and 34 pressures. Of course, those numbers won't pop off the stat shit, but he could continue to get better if he stays healthy.
Related story: Updated cap space and draft picks for the Jaguars in the 2025 offseason.
Why Mekhi Becton would be a fit for the Jaguars
Fixing the offensive trenches is one of the new Jaguars regime's biggest priorities. Last year, they couldn't give Trevor Lawrence good protection or open lanes in the running game. In specific, the interior offensive line will need upgrades. Right guard Brandon Scheff is slated to become a free agent, and it may not make much sense to bring him back. After all, he's 33 and not as dominant as he was during his tenure with the Washington Commanders.
If Scherff does leave, right guard will become one of the Jags' top priorities. Signing Mekhi Becton wouldn't be cost-prohibitive and would come with several pros. Sure, he's failed to stay healthy but all the injuries he's dealt with have been in different parts of the body. Sure, there's a chance he'll regress, especially if he leaves the Eagles and the tutelage of offensive line coach Jeff Stoutline. That said, there's an equal chance he'll build off of last year and continue to improve.
Granted, it wasn't until 2024 that Becton hit his stride, but players' readiness is always variable. Perhaps the New York Jets weren't a great fit, and it's possible that he's better suited to play guard in the pros. Once he got healthy, left the Big Apple, and switched positions, he found success.
Who's to say Becton won't keep thriving if he plays offensive guard for the Jacksonville Jaguars? It wouldn't be cheap but it wouldn't be expensive either. They must definitely have the salary cap to make it happen. And if general manager James Gladstone signs him in free agency, he'll take care of a need and can turn his attention to making upgrades to other areas of the roster in the 2025 NFL Draft.