Should Becton slim down or is enormity advantageous?
NY Jets Confidential|October 2020
Some might argue left tackle Mekhi Becton is too heavy for the position he plays, a spot that requires him to be very light on his feet.
Should Becton slim down or is enormity advantageous?

Others might argue he’s just fine, and that his massive size gives him an advantage against defensive ends who often weigh about 100 pounds less than him.

Time will tell which side of this argument is right.

On Aug. 18, close to the beginning of training camp practices, during a press conference, Becton was asked how much he weighed.

“I’m 370 now,” the first-round pick said. “I definitely want to get lower. I’m definitely working on getting lower. I’m definitely still trying to get into my best shape.”

At the end of training camp practices, Becton had another press conference, Sept. 3, and he was asked how much he weighed.

“I’m probably at the top of the 360’s, but I’m still getting lower every day,” Becton said. “I’m still working to get lower every day.”

So let’s assume he lost 1 pound in 16 days from the beginning of camp to the end.

Some might argue that isn’t much progress, especially after a couple of weeks of football practice. Maybe because the Jets practiced in the morning, before it got too hot, this contributed to Becton not losing more weight. Or maybe if he played for the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars or Tampa Bay Buccaneers, practicing in 90-degree Florida summer heat and humidity, he would have lost more weight. Cool New Jersey mornings were clearly no help in his attempt to lose weight.

Maybe it’s the great food the Jets serve in their cafeteria at One Jets Drive. It’s geared to be healthy, but there’s plenty of it available.

We aren’t being flippant, just trying to figure out why he didn’t drop more weight.

This story is from the October 2020 edition of NY Jets Confidential.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2020 edition of NY Jets Confidential.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NY JETS CONFIDENTIALView All
FIRST DOWN- A lot of potential, but a lot to learn
NY Jets Confidential

FIRST DOWN- A lot of potential, but a lot to learn

There is a lyric in an old song by the rock group Chicago that sums up where Zach Wilson is right now:

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2021
IN HIS OWN WORDS WITH DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JEFF ULBRICH - Ulbrich breaks down Jets' defensive personnel
NY Jets Confidential

IN HIS OWN WORDS WITH DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JEFF ULBRICH - Ulbrich breaks down Jets' defensive personnel

(Marcus Maye) can do it all. I would feel comfortable with him (at free or strong safety). He’s a guy that, to me, he can play deep, he can play the half field, he can play the middle third, he can do that and you feel comfortable with it. I think he’s got range, speed and athleticism. I think he’s got ball skills and instincts to be a deep safety. But I think he’s got enough size and girth and want-to and courage to play in the box. It’ll be fun to utilize all the things that he does. He can cover tight ends; he can cover some of the wide receivers in this league.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021
Dan's Minicamp Diary
NY Jets Confidential

Dan's Minicamp Diary

Becton bombarded with weighty questions

time-read
10+ mins  |
July 2021
Saleh calls Wilson ‘relentless' as a worker
NY Jets Confidential

Saleh calls Wilson ‘relentless' as a worker

QUESTION SESSION WITH QB ZACH WILSON

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2021
Jets hope initiatives will increase winning edge
NY Jets Confidential

Jets hope initiatives will increase winning edge

Aside from adding as many good players as possible to help the Jets improve, coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas are trying to turn over every stone to find extra ways to give their team a winning edge, and two examples of this were announced over the course of the offseason, with the additions of a game management coach (Matt Burke) and the installation of an Athletic Care and Performance Department. Let’s take a closer look at these two moves and how they might help the Jets:

time-read
7 mins  |
July 2021
Dan's Spring Camp Diary
NY Jets Confidential

Dan's Spring Camp Diary

This time of year for learning, experimenting, not stats

time-read
10+ mins  |
July 2021
AUDIBLES-Saleh doesn't cave on offseason work
NY Jets Confidential

AUDIBLES-Saleh doesn't cave on offseason work

Tom Brady might be wrong about this one.

time-read
7 mins  |
July 2021
SAFETIES
NY Jets Confidential

SAFETIES

Justin Simmons, Broncos 6-2 • 202 pounds • 27 years old

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2021
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
NY Jets Confidential

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

Trent Williams, 49ers 6-5 • 320 pounds • 32 years old

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2021
LINEBACKERS
NY Jets Confidential

LINEBACKERS

Lavonte David, Buccaneers 6-0 • 226 pounds • 26 years old

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2021