PALM BEACH, Fla. — Jets general manager Joe Douglas gave a clear overview of Gang Green’s offensive line plan going into 2022.
“We are operating like Mekhi [Becton] is going to be one of our two tackles,” Douglas said at the NFL owners’ meeting on Tuesday morning.
Head coach Robert Saleh had created some doubt about Becton’s future during Senior Bowl week in February when he announced that George Fant and Becton would battle for the left tackle spot after Fant played admirably in Becton’s absence. In a scenario where Becton lost the tackle spot, he would have filled the right guard spot or slide in at right tackle.
While Becton is still rehabbing from the knee injury that he suffered during a Week 1 loss to the Carolina Panthers last season, Douglas is optimistic about his 2020 first-round pick.
“So, he came back for a re-check and he had a good meeting with our doctors,” Douglas said. “So, we’ll get him back here for OTAs and take another physical and see where he is physically.”
Before the news of Becton’s improved status and recent free-agent signings, a few mock drafts had projected the Jets to select a tackle with the No. 4 overall pick.
If Becton shows up in good shape and healthy for OTAs, then the offensive line view becomes much clearer.
The Jets signed Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson as a free agent and will slide Alijah Vera-Tucker to right guard, according to Saleh. Fant will settle at left tackle and Becton will be at right tackle. Or it’ll be reversed, either way, the offensive line is pretty set.
That’s good news for Douglas as he can then focus on another big area of need with the No. 4 overall pick, like adding more dynamic talent to the 32nd-ranked defense that allowed 29.6 points and 397 yards per game (both worst in the NFL).
The Jets must improve their pass rush that only netted 33 sacks, fifth-fewest in the NFL. They added cornerback D.J. Reed and safety Jordan Whitehead as free agents and they should give Gang Green’s pass rush more time to get after the QB.
But more reinforcements are needed.
The fan-favorite is Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. The 6-4 258-pound defensive end is an explosive athlete who wins with a combination of speed and power rush moves, which overwhelmed offensive tackles in the Pac-12 at times. He finished with seven sacks last season.
There have been concerns about Thibodeaux’s motor as some scouts think he takes plays off. His personality has also come under scrutiny as some believe he doesn’t love football enough since he discussed his brand during his team interviews and doesn’t come off as a player who’s all about football, according to reports.
However, his personality concerns seem more like a media narrative and it isn’t dominating the evaluation within the Jets building. Mulitple sources told the Daily News they don’t believe Thibodeaux’s personality is an issue. One simply described him as the “modern day athlete,” who understands there can be more to life than football.
The Jets love his talent, so he could definitely be in the mix.
Defensive end Jermaine Johnson out of Florida State is another interesting option as his stock has skyrocketed since the Senior Bowl. He dominated the week in Mobile, Ala., with the Jets coaching staff on hand for a close-up look.
Johnson was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after he finished with 17 tackles for loss and 12 sacks last season. He’s stout in the run and would drastically improve the rush defense that allowed 2,343 rushing yards (fourth most) with 28 touchdowns (most in the NFL).
With the Jets proclaiming they’re operating as if Becton will be one of their starting tackles, the direction of the No. 4 pick comes into focus.
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