The Detroit Lions have an unresolved competition at left guard. Offensive lineman Mekhi Becton is one of the most noteworthy free agents available. So, it is easy to understand why the Lions would be viewed as the best fit for the former first-round pick.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report went through the best fits for the top free agents available and noted that Becton to the Lions would make sense for both sides.
“Becton would make the most sense for a potential contender that is willing to gamble on his upside, as Philadelphia did in 2024,” wrote Knox. “The Detroit Lions, who have a competition brewing at left guard.”
The Lions need to resolve things at left guard; the biggest question for Becton would be the fit.
Detroit Lions Emerge as Best Fit for Free Agent Mekhi Becton
GettyMekhi Becton.
Becton has played on the left side before. Becton has played guard before. However, entering the 2026 season, Becton has one snap at left guard. He entered the NFL as the number 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The expectation was for him to be a franchise left tackle.
He started 13 games as a rookie and showed promise. However, a knee injury ended his 2021 season after just one game, and he did not play a single snap in 2022 as he continued to recover. This set him back in a significant way.
Becton came back and started in the last year of his rookie deal with New York. Overall, he had 30 starts and 1,621 snaps at left tackle in New York.
Since then, he moved to guard. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him in free agency. He started in 15 games, played 903 snaps, and won the Super Bowl. The Los Angeles Chargers signed him in 2025, and it was not quite the same. He played 733 snaps and started at right guard for 14 games. According to PFF, his grade dropped from 75.3 with Philadelphia to 35.7 with Los Angeles.
The upside is that he has first-round pedigree and can compete. The downside is that he has no experience at left guard and is currently not signed for a good reason.
Lions Left Guard Battle Whimpers to Finish Line
The Lions were expected to have a deep and tough competition at left guard. However, Christian Mahogany started as the leader and finished as the leader despite not being a clear winner of the job.
Juice Scruggs had to shift to center due to the injury to Cade Mays. Ben Bartch has been injured and immediately suffered a concussion upon his return. He is close to being out of the mix. Giovanni Manu is on the IR after shifting from tackle to guard. Miles Frazier committed three penalties in one half, hurting his standing on the roster.
So, all four of the notable names in the mix found ways to bow out. It makes sense for the Lions to want to continue to look for ways to push Mahogany. Becton might be the best option available. It makes sense why the two sides are paired together.
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