NY Jets: How Mekhi Becton’s failed drug test affects Gang Green

Possible NY Jets draft target Mekhi Becton reportedly failed a drug test at the NFL Combine. How could this impact the team come draft day?

The NY Jets will have their fair share of options with their first-round pick in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. And one of their most intriguing options is Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.

Becton is one of four offensive tackles who have been discussed among the top names in the draft class. Along with Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr., Becton will very possibly be a top-10 pick come next week.

However, a recent report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has many believing that he could fall further than expected.

Rapoport reported on Friday that the Louisville product was one of a number of prospects who failed a drug test at the NFL Combine back in February. Now it is worth noting that Becton didn’t fail any drug tests while in college, but it certainly isn’t a great look.

The reason for Becton’s positive test hasn’t been reported, but some have speculated that it was for THC. However, all of that is purely speculation at this point.

That speculation has continued with the discussion of how this might affect his draft stock. And in this case, how it could affect the Jets’ draft strategy.

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Becton was undoubtedly one of the Jets’ primary targets in this year’s draft. Along with Thomas, he was the only one of the top four offensive tackles to visit with the team multiple times in the whole pre-draft process.

On top of that, he has the athleticism and mobility that the Jets are searching for at offensive tackle — he fits the mold of the type of player they are looking for.

However, this failed test could remove him from some teams’ boards. And the Jets may be one of those teams.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Becton fall in the draft similarly to how Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil fell a few years ago after a video of him partaking in some, let’s call it dubious, actions led to his draft stock plummeting.

Who knows how the NFL will view this failed test. We do know that despite this report being new, the news isn’t exactly fresh and teams have known about this for quite some time.

On top of that, unless he has another failed test within the next 60 days, this won’t be held against him by the new CBA. As per the new league rules, if he doesn’t receive another positive test “he will thereafter assume the same status as players who have never been referred to the Intervention Program.”

That sure sounds like it isn’t a big deal. But it remains to be seen how teams will treat it.

One thing is for sure, as long as the Jets remain interested, they will certainly welcome him falling a few picks in the draft. Picking at No. 11, the Jets will hopefully have a shot at one of the top four offensive tackles in the class.

The order in which they will be taken is currently unknown, but this recent development with Becton could push him down some boards.

And if that’s the case, perhaps the Jets could benefit from his pre-draft blunder.