The Philadelphia Eagles are looking like geniuses after switching Mekhi Becton from right tackle to right guard.
The former New York Jets first-round draft pick had never played guard before coming to Philly, but that's hard to tell if you didn't know that following his first start at the position in the Eagles' Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers on Friday.
Becton allowed zero pressures, zero sacks, zero QB hits, and zero QB hurries 76 total offensive snaps as the Eagles went on to beat Green Bay 34-29 in Brazil. He also played a big part in the run game with new lead rusher Saquon Barkley scoring three touchdowns.
The Eagles were set at both tackle positions when Becton joined the team so instead of letting his giant 6-foot-7, 350-pound frame go to waste, they crossed-train him at guard through spring ball and training camp.
He competed against Tyler Steen and ultimately won the right guard starting job.
Becton admitted it was an adjustment for him because of the change of pace.
"It's definitely a different adjustment to me," he said back in June. "I've never played it before but it's fun. You know the action is more right then and there than tackle. Tackle they get the chance to build their speed up and stuff, but guard it's all hand work and you've got to be ready to fight right then and there."
It helps that Becton is notably a few pounds lighter since he was drafted and weighs in at 350 pounds compared to the 364 points he used to be. That no only helps with his speed but also puts a little less stress on his banged-up right knee.
The Jets drafted Becton out of Louisville in 2020. He had a solid rookie debut but then played only one game from 2021 to 2022 because of two injuries and surgeries to his right knee. He returned to full health in 2023 where he started 16 games for the Jets.
Hopefully, he'll finish this year with 17 starts.
