NY Jets: Mekhi Becton could be 'one of the best tackles ever'

The NY Jets hope to have landed their franchise left tackle of the future in Mekhi Becton. And given the promise he showed in his rookie season, they seemingly have, by all accounts.

Becton stepped in as a day one starter at left tackle anchoring the left side of offensive line. He quickly established himself as the best player on the Jets' offensive line — and he did so at just 21-years-old.

For that reason, many believe the sky is the limit for the former Louisville star. Many including a man who knows him very well, Duke Manyweather.

Manyweather is a highly-regarded offensive line coach who has worked with a number of the best offensive linemen in the NFL today, Becton included.

In a recent appearance on FanSided's "The Matt Lombardo Show," Manyweather had some high praise for Becton, believing that he could have a Hall of Fame future awaiting him.

NY Jets' left tackle Mekhi Becton could be a future Hall of Famer

"You look at Mekhi Becton, if you look at what Mekhi Becton brings, if that Jets offense turns around, that team turns around. If he stays healthy, he could potentially be one of the best tackles to ever play the game."

- Duke Manyweather

That's high praise from a guy who's worked with the likes of Mitchell Schwartz, La'el Collins, Cam Robinson, Trent Brown, Donald Penn, and a host of other standout NFL offensive linemen.

Becton is one of his latest proteges. And Manyweather insists that he could become the best of them all.

"If you look at him at that size, those traits, I remember coming in, the big knock from everybody ‘oh, he can’t pass protect, he’s too big and Louisville never had him do it.' But then he gets to the NFL and he’s locking people up, his first six weeks, you look at the rushers he had to face … And their production is non-existent."

- Duke Manyweather

Becton was seen as the riskiest of the top four offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft. A physical specimen with an absurd blend of size and athleticism, Becton had all the traits to become a dominant left tackle.

But there were concerns about his lack of refinement coming out of Louisville and many expected him to struggle early on. Evidently, Becton proved all of his doubters wrong.

The Virginia native was outstanding in his rookie season and looked the part of a future All-Pro. And still at just 22-years-old, Becton hasn't even come close to reaching his ceiling.

The Jets will hope to see Becton take another step forward in his sophomore NFL season as he continues his trajectory toward stardom.

He still has a long way to go, but Manyweather is right about one thing. Mekhi Becton has the potential to become one of the best offensive tackles of his generation.