Latest news with #MekhiBecton
USA Today
15 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Evan Neal named a player New York Giants should consider trading before Week 1
Evan Neal named a player New York Giants should consider trading before Week 1 Three years ago, Evan Neal was a promising prospect the New York Giants hoped would man their offensive tackle position for the next decade. Today, he is a man without a position and is likely playing his last season for the Giants after three disappointing years filled with injury and incompetence. The Giants have scrapped the idea that the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft is their answer at right tackle, shifting him to guard this spring in hopes he can win a roster spot. The notion of trading Neal is very real and, as he competes for a spot in their guard rotation, could heat up should he not acclimate to his new position. From Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report: There's no question who the most valuable trade asset for the New York Giants is. After drafting Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter third overall in April, the G-Men have three high-end edge-rushers in Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Other teams have undoubtedly inquired about the availability of the latter. But unless Giants general manager Joe Schoen gets a 'Godfather' offer for Thibodeaux, there's no reason to make a deal. Not yet. It was Schoen who drafted Alabama tackle Evan Neal seventh overall in 2022. But after three mostly horrific years at tackle (including 22 missed games), New York head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that this year the team will try Neal out at left guard. 'He's a big man. He's got length. He's obviously a little bit taller than I'd say traditional guards, but he's played it,' Daboll said. 'He's played a number of positions since he's been at University of Alabama. He's been working hard this last month and a half and look forward to getting him out there.' Maybe Neal will pull a Mekhi Becton and blossom after kicking inside. But if he doesn't, Big Blue should look to flip the contract-year lineman to a team that believes it can salvage Neal's career. Neal won't be easy to trade and cutting him before or after June 1 will bring no cap relief to the Giants. If they can deal him, they will save $4 million on his $7.8 million cap hit. But that would be a long shot. Neal was once seen as a "can't-miss" prospect who has missed badly. It happens. For another team to think they can redeem him as a tackle in this league is unreasonable as he has been atrocious in pass protection against speed rushers. And the last time we checked, that's the main function of an NFL offensive tackle.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL analyst suggests Chargers should sign this interior offensive lineman
NFL analyst suggests Chargers should sign this interior offensive lineman The Chargers upgraded the interior part of the offensive line with the signing of Mekhi Becton, who is projected to start at left guard. However, the other two spots leave much to be desired. Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson, and Andre James are expected to compete for the starting center job, and the left guard spot remains a question mark if Johnson happens to come out on top. Should that come to fruition, they could bolster the left guard spot with someone proven at the position. Sports Illustrated's Gilbert Manzano suggests Los Angeles should consider signing Brandon Scherff. The Chargers prioritized adding more weapons for Justin Herbert in the draft. By doing that, they neglected the remaining holes on the interior of the offensive line. Los Angeles has a strong trio with newcomer right guard Mekhi Becton and bookend tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. However, the team needs a left guard, especially if Zion Johnson moves to center to replace Bradley Bozeman. Scherff, who's entering his age-34 season, is more than capable of filling in at guard for one season. The 10-year veteran has 140 career starts and never missed a game in his three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Scherff is a seasoned veteran, having been in the league for ten seasons, with half of them resulting in Pro Bowl appearances. The 33-year-old has not missed a start in the past three seasons, showing the ability to stay healthy after dealing with injuries during his final years with the Washington Commanders. Scherff has consistently been an excellent pass blocker. This past season, he didn't allow a single sack on 625 pass-blocking snaps. While he hasn't been at his best, Scherff has proven to be capable of getting it done as a run blocker. Scherff would not cost that much, either. Pro Football Focus projects a one-year deal worth approximately $6 million.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF grades for the Chargers' projected offensive starters
PFF grades for the Chargers' projected offensive starters The Chargers invested in the offensive side of the ball this offseason, acquiring more weapons for Justin Herbert and adding the hulking Mekhi Becton to improve the running game, which now features rookie Omarion Hampton and veteran Najee Harris. To look ahead to the upcoming season, here is a look at the team's projected starting offense and how they graded out last season, per Pro Football Focus. QB Justin Herbert (91.2) RB Omarion Hampton (88.4*) RB Najee Harris (77.2) WR Ladd McConkey (84.3) WR Mike Williams (58.8) WR Tre Harris (89.7*) TE Will Dissly (67.1) LT Rashawn Slater (90.9) LG Zion Johnson (64.4) C Bradley Bozeman (61.0) RG Mekhi Becton (70.8)
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles Super Bowl Standout Sends Goodbye Message to Philadelphia Fans
After helping the Philadelphia Eagles secure their Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, offensive lineman Mekhi Becton has departed for the Los Angeles Chargers in a move that reportedly leaves the talented guard with conflicting feelings. The Eagles took a calculated chance on Becton last season, shifting him from his natural position at tackle to right guard—a spot he had never played. What began as a depth move turned into one of the most impactful transitions of the season. Becton started 15 regular-season games and all four playoff contests, emerging as one of Philadelphia's most reliable interior linemen. Advertisement After four underwhelming years with the New York Jets, where injuries and inconsistency derailed his trajectory as a former first-round pick, Becton flourished under the tutelage of Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. The change of scenery and coaching helped Becton resurrect his career and rediscover his confidence. While Becton hoped to remain in Philadelphia, the opportunity with the Chargers was simply too significant to pass up. Los Angeles signed him to a two-year, $20 million deal—making him the 11th highest-paid guard in football. That's a substantial leap from the one-year, $2.75 million deal he played under last season. In a heartfelt message on social media, Becton expressed deep appreciation for his time in Philadelphia. "The standard we upheld and the way we showed up for each other every single day, that's what made this past season the most fun I've ever had playing football," he wrote. Advertisement Sources close to the veteran lineman noted that, all things equal, he would have preferred to return and continue working with Stoutland. But Eagles GM Howie Roseman, known for his ruthless efficiency in roster building, opted not to match the Chargers' offer—choosing long-term cap flexibility over emotional reunions. Becton is just the latest Super Bowl contributor to exit this offseason, joining Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, and Oren Burks in leaving for other teams. The likely next man up at right guard is second-year lineman Tyler Steen, a 2023 third-round pick whose development the Eagles have been quietly optimistic about. Despite the turnover, the Eagles' offensive line still returns four of five starters and remains one of the most dominant units in the NFL. For the Chargers, Becton represents a critical addition as new head coach Jim Harbaugh reshapes the team's identity. Becton's 75.2 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 16th among guards with at least 500 snaps last season, and his size and athleticism—at 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds—align perfectly with Harbaugh's vision for a physical, run-oriented offense. Advertisement While his journey now continues in Los Angeles, Becton leaves Philadelphia with a Super Bowl ring, a revived reputation, and a fanbase grateful for the brief but meaningful impact he made in midnight green. Related: Who Could Fill the Eagles' Pass Rush Void in the NFL Draft? Related: Was AJ Brown Ever On The Trade Block?
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
What are the Philadelphia Eagles' needs entering the 2025 NFL draft?
The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2025 NFL draft with one of the best rosters in the league after winning the Super Bowl . But there are still several positions the Birds will need to address after losing multiple starters this offseason . Here are the positions the Eagles could address in the 2025 NFL draft. Even if the Eagles didn't need an offensive guard, they would probably still draft a player in the trenches — it's just what they do. But the Eagles will need some depth at the position after losing veteran Mekhi Becton in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. Tyler Steen will be back for a third season to compete for the starting right guard job, but he's yet to solidify himself at the position. He's played in 28 games over the last two seasons and made three starts. The Eagles also brought in former first-round pick Kenyon Green in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade , but he's not a lock to make the team. Green could be the next player to see his career turned around at Stoutland University , but nothing is set in stone yet at right guard as the Eagles enter the draft. The Eagles will likely find Dallas Goedert's successor in the 2025 NFL draft, and it could happen early depending on how the board falls. Goedert led the team in receiving in the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl win, but he missed seven games in the 2024 season and hasn't proven he can stay healthy. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni have each hinted at potentially trading Goedert amid his contract situation. Goedert doesn't have any guaranteed money in his contract for the 2025 season, according to . The Eagles have added tight ends Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson in free agency, but they're not replacements for Goedert. That could come in the draft. The Eagles lost several key pieces along the defensive line in the offseason. Josh Sweat headed west to the Arizona Cardinals, and Milton Williams got a massive payday from the New England Patriots. Birds legend Brandon Graham also retired after 15 seasons with the team. Former Georgia Bulldogs Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith, and up-and-coming players Jalyx Hunt and Moro Ojomo are returning. Pass rusher Bryce Huff, who had a down season in his first year in Philadelphia, is also under contract for the 2025 season. After the departures of Sweat, Williams, and Graham's retirement, the Eagles added edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche , but expect the Birds to add players at defensive tackle and edge rusher in the draft. The Eagles finally found a long-term answer at linebacker in the 2024 season in Defensive Player of the Year candidate Zack Baun , and they rewarded him with a contract extension in the offseason. But they'll still need depth at the linebacker position. Fellow starting linebacker Nakobe Dean could miss a significant amount of the 2025 season with a knee injury, and the team lost special-teams ace Oren Burks in free agency. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will return, but is he ready to start alongside Baun? The Eagles could add a linebacker at some point in the draft. The Eagles struck gold in last year's draft at cornerback. The team added Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the first two rounds, and both of them became Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists and played key roles in the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense. But the Eagles lost two veterans in free agency. Darius Slay departed for the Pittsburgh Steelers after he was released, and Isaiah Rodgers went to the Minnesota Vikings. With Slay and Rodgers gone, the Eagles signed veteran cornerback Adoree' Jackson in free agency to add some depth. Kelee Ringo, a 2023 fourth-round and another former Georgia Bulldog, will get an opportunity to start in the 2025 season, but the Eagles could add more young talent in the draft. The Eagles created a need at safety by trading Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans. Reed Blankenship will return as one of the starters, but the other starting job is up for grabs. Third-year safety Sydney Brown will get a chance to compete for the role, but that player could be added in the draft with several intriguing safety prospects in the 2025 class.
