Getty NEW York Jets head coach Robert Saleh making a key decision during an NFL game.
With the 2022 NFL draft in the books for the New York Jets, a few things have become apparent.
Gang Green fully believes in offensive tackle Mekhi Becton. Despite several opportunities to invest a premium resource in the trenches, they went in other directions.
This offseason Becton has decided to train on his own during voluntary offseason training activities, but the team made it clear after the draft that they’d like him back as soon as possible.
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Breaking the Fourth Wall
In the post-draft presser, head coach Robert Saleh was asked about Becton and decided to look into the camera and pleaded for his big man to fly up to New York:
“Would love you back buddy. We’ll take care of you.”
#Jets HC Robert Saleh jokingly pleaded for Mekhi Becton (@BigTicket73) to come to voluntary OTAs, ‘would love you back here buddy, come on we’ll take care of you’ 🤣 🎥 @nyjets #TakeFlight #NFLDraft #NFL
Coach Saleh was asked if he was disappointed that Becton isn’t here to which he responded, “I mean you want all your guys to be here, but it’s voluntary. He is working his butt off in Dallas and we have tabs on him so we know exactly what he is doing.”
The former No. 11 overall pick is rehabbing after having surgery back in Week 1 and has been working with his own personal trainers this offseason.
While you’d love to have all of your players, at the end of the day this isn’t what matters. What does matter is Becton being healthy and ready to go when it matters during the regular season.
Gang Green gave their big man a massive vote of confidence by not selecting an offensive lineman on the first two days of the 2022 NFL draft.
Some Much Needed Insurance
While the Jets didn’t invest a premium resource into the trenches, they did add a swing tackle for depth.
Gang Green selected offensive lineman Max Mitchell with the No. 111 overall pick in the fourth round out of Louisiana.
Lead NFL draft analyst Connor Rogers called him a “developmental” piece that can immediately contribute as a swing option across the line.
.@ConnorJRogers likes #Jets selection of OT Max Mitchell (@MaxMitch09) out of @RaginCajunsFB, ‘a developmental tackle’ + @seniorbowl guy + likes him as the swing tackle in 2022 + gave it a B- grade & @InTheBleachers gave it a B: 🎥 @BleacherReport #NFLDraft #TakeFlight
He doesn’t appear to be a legitimate threat to either George Fant or Becton in the starting lineup but provides some much-needed break-the-glass emergency insurance.
After the draft, general manager Joe Douglas praised his versatility and said Mitchell has been practicing at offensive tackle, guard, and has even gotten some work snapping balls as a center.
#Jets GM Joe Douglas said OT Max Mitchell (@MaxMitch09) out of @RaginCajunsFB is ‘tough’, ‘we feel like he can be a versatile piece on the OL’ + ‘a highly competitive player from @seniorbowl’ + ‘has practiced at OT, OG, & snapping ball as a C’: 🎥 @nyjets #NFLDraft #TakeFlight
Prior to this selection if an injury occurred to either starter (Fant or Becton), the Jets would’ve been forced to call upon the services of Conor McDermott or Chuma Edoga. While both players are okay, they don’t inspire a ton of confidence.
Now they have a moldable piece of clay that can be used in an emergency situation in 2022 and depending on what happens in the future could be involved in a competition for a starting gig in 2023.
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