Could Jets Really be Considering Moving Mekhi Becton?

[JetNation]

Written by Glenn Naughton

Could the New York Jets really be considering moving Mekhi Becton?  Well, if you’ve been listening to the musings of a pair of Jets beat writers, it sounds like something that shouldn’t be ruled out.

On a recent episode of his flight deck podcast, long time Jets scribe Rich Cimini offered what he called a “bold prediction” and said Becton could be traded before the season kicks off on September 11th.  A few days later, New York Post writer Brian Costello suggested the team’s starting right tackle to start the season could be Packers import Billy Turner.

If Turner were to start, one would have to imagine that would make Becton that much more likely to be sent packing.  The big man already ripped the team once this offseason.  Just imagine the fallout of the highly talented tackle were to be benched for, lets be honest, an inferior player in Turner.

In what ways would a deal be justified and in what ways could it be rightly criticized?

A deal would make sense because…

Earlier this off-season, Becton absolutely skewered the Jets over the injury he suffered last season.  At the time we mentioned how Becton’s comments could not have gone over well at 1 Jets Drive.  Claiming he told the team he was hurting just before re-injuring his knee and knocking him out for the season sounded more like the start of a lawsuit than a sit-down interview to wipe the slate clean and move forward.

Answering “it is what it is” when asked about his relationship with the coaching staff couldn’t have helped all that much either.

We saw what happened to highly talented yet disgruntled wide receiver Elijah Moore after he showed little interest in winning and wanted the team to instead focus on his fantasy production.  Despite being a premium pick with huge upside, the Jets moved Moore for pennies on the dollar.  Now with another possibly unhappy talented player for whom they used pick number 11…could it be more of the same?

A deal would not make sense because…

Becton’s value will never be lower than it is right now.  Even though he’s in the best shape of his life, he hasn’t done enough to warrant a return for the player he’ll become if he manages to stay on the field.

Cool moment at Jets camp. Fan yelled out praise for how good Mekhi Becton looked, and he acknowledged the fan's compliment. pic.twitter.com/pdA1a9JTRs

— Dan Leberfeld (@jetswhispers) July 21, 2023

While his detractors will treat such a scenario as an impossibility, the fact of the matter is that Becton had no significant injury history prior to turning pro.  It was a poor play from a teammate that led to his initial injury that was then re-injured and let to two missed seasons.  If you stick with Becton and he manages to avoid missing any significant time, he’s an all-pro caliber player at a premium position.

There’s also the lack of depth up front if you were to move Becton.  Having him start opposite Duane Brown gives you a vet backup in Billy Turner and some younger guys behind him in Max Mitchell and rookie Carter Warren.  If everyone moves up a spot on the depth chart, you’re that much closer to starting a guy who may not be ready in what’s supposed to be a season with Super Bowl aspirations.

Will it happen?

We’d love to say that these are clickbait takes in the early days of camp, but having said weeks ago that Becton’s comments were highly inflammatory, there’s definitely a far greater than zero chance of a deal despite Becton’s immense potential.  Should Becton impress early on in the pre-season and have another club call to inquire, the Jets may be more than willing to listen.

 

 

The post Could Jets Really be Considering Moving Mekhi Becton? appeared first on JetNation.com - New York Jets Blog & Forum.

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[Maxman]

I can't see him being traded. Very interesting that Cimini thinks it is possible though.

[Bowles Movement]

2 hours ago, Maxman said:

I can't see him being traded. Very interesting that Cimini thinks it is possible though.

If Brown is healthy and wins the Left tackle spot would Becton be ok with playing on the right?  If not, his value as a disgruntled back up on the last year of his deal may not be enough to put up with his negative comments.   The timing for a trade would be terrible- if they did it it would be to jettison an unhappy player

[Larz]

Brown is on the PUP rich lol

[32EBoozer]

4 hours ago, Maxman said:

I can't see him being traded. Very interesting that Cimini thinks it is possible though.

I only give my blessing if it’s a Day 1 pick in ‘24. I imagine not having that pick bothers JD to no end. He’ll get it back somehow…. Right Zach?

[Kleckineau]

Take a second round pick and back up the moving truck. A big moving truck.

[Raideraholic]

55 minutes ago, Kleckineau said:

Take a second round pick and back up the moving truck. A big moving truck.

You think Jets can get a second round pick now with M Becton injury history. ( hasn’t played in two years)   You would have to be fool as Gm of another team to give anything like that .  Not to mention this is the last year of his contract - lower his trade value even more.         
Thats why there is a very small chance that M Becton is traded by the Jets.    ( some young tackle would have to prove he’s ready to assume Rt position- gave so much for A Rodgers to take that chance. 

[slats]

Not really the year to be trading a starting caliber OT for a future pick. The Jets have enough experience with injuries to the OL to understand that, I’d think. Unless they traded him for someone else’s disgruntled tackle? 
 
Suspect the beat is just being provocative here. That is their job. 

[Raideraholic]

1 hour ago, Larz said:

Brown is on the PUP rich lol

Yes why rush back your projected starting Lt before you know he’s totally healthy.    Better to be safe than sorry .   Better to give the young tackles as much reps as possible early in camp.  ( when your Qb can’t be hit). 

[20andOut]

Don't see it happening. While his complaining is a reason to think they might move him he has minimal value now having not played in 2 years. Can't see us getting anything close to the first or second rounders mentioned above so might as well keep him.

[Lith]

2 hours ago, 32EBoozer said:

I only give my blessing if it’s a Day 1 pick in ‘24. 

Can't see them getting a 1 for him.

2 hours ago, Kleckineau said:

Take a second round pick and back up the moving truck. A big moving truck.

Or a 2.  

He has not played in 2 years.  His value is low.  I can't see them moving him in preseason, especially after what happened with injuries to the OL last season.  Maybe at the deadline if Turner/Brown are starters, and you feel good about MItchell/Warren as back ups, you can get something for him, but not before camp, with a 38 year old presumed starter coming off injury.

[chirorob]

If he has even a decent season you can franchise him, or just let him go for a 3rd round comp.

Given the massive injuries the line has suffered the last few years, why would you trade a potential starter now?

[maury77]

I just hope Becton stays healthy and Wally Pipp's Brown. 

[Kleckineau]

14 minutes ago, Lith said:

Can't see them getting a 1 for him.

Or a 2.  

He has not played in 2 years.  His value is low.  I can't see them moving him in preseason, especially after what happened with injuries to the OL last season.  Maybe at the deadline if Turner/Brown are starters, and you feel good about MItchell/Warren as back ups, you can get something for him, but not before camp, with a 38 year old presumed starter coming off injury.

I could see a 2 especially if TC, preseason injuries to some teams press their needs but then again when it comes to Becton the only thing bigger than his body is his mouth. If he can keep it shut for awhile ( decible and caloric wise) his value could increase.

[Larz]

He’s costing 5 million this year.  Pass protection has to be the #1 priority and it’s not even close.  
 

His rookie deal is expiring, would the Jets get a comp pick if he walks ?

 

[Sonny Werblin]

3 hours ago, Larz said:

Brown is on the PUP rich lol

And 103 years old in football years

[Matt39]

I think we’ll get a decent picture once they put the pads on. They seem to be testing him mentally. The most important question the Jets need answered is if he can block anyone.

[Sammybighead]

7 hours ago, Maxman said:

I can't see him being traded. Very interesting that Cimini thinks it is possible though.

Totally. Rich wouldn't put that in record if he didn't hear something really reliable. That said, it would be a huge mistake. What are you gonna get for him? A 4th maybe? 5th? Not too mention you actually need him this year. 

Next year, all bets are off though. I could see a non exclusive tag of he stays healthy. Let him try to work out a trade, if not, bring him back 1 more year. 

[32EBoozer]

33 minutes ago, Lith said:

Can't see them getting a 1 for him.

Or a 2.  

He has not played in 2 years.  His value is low.  I can't see them moving him in preseason, especially after what happened with injuries to the OL last season.  Maybe at the deadline if Turner/Brown are starters, and you feel good about MItchell/Warren as back ups, you can get something for him, but not before camp, with a 38 year old presumed starter coming off injury.

If it’s a 2nd or less, hold onto him since we might get a Comp 3rd round pick if he plays well or we FT him for next year if he turns into a force at Tackle position 

[Sammybighead]

5 minutes ago, Larz said:

He’s costing 5 million this year.  Pass protection has to be the #1 priority and it’s not even close.  
 

His rookie deal is expiring, would the Jets get a comp pick if he walks ?

 

Depends on a lot, like what he signs for, who we bring in to replace him. It's not guaranteed, formula driven. 

[32EBoozer]

5 minutes ago, Larz said:
 

His rookie deal is expiring, would the Jets get a comp pick if he walks ?

 

Depends on our FA signings next year. Just like any other FA, our Comp pick would depend on size of MB contract and the Compensatory formula based on how many FA we lose vs. how many we sign.

[slats]

10 minutes ago, Larz said:

He’s costing 5 million this year.  Pass protection has to be the #1 priority and it’s not even close.  
 

His rookie deal is expiring, would the Jets get a comp pick if he walks ?

 

I think if he plays decently and stays healthy for most of the year, he probably nets somewhere around a fourth. If he stays healthy all year and plays close to his potential, he easily nets a third. Of course, if he gets hurt again, he probably doesn’t get a comp pick worthy deal anywhere. 

[Larz]

7 minutes ago, slats said:

I think if he plays decently and stays healthy for most of the year, he probably nets somewhere around a fourth. If he stays healthy all year and plays close to his potential, he easily nets a third. Of course, if he gets hurt again, he probably doesn’t get a comp pick worthy deal anywhere. 

I have no idea how the formula works. What is it based on?  
 

Either way my point is keep him around to protect Rodgers 

[Larz]

12 minutes ago, 32EBoozer said:

Depends on our FA signings next year. Just like any other FA, our Comp pick would depend on size of MB contract and the Compensatory formula based on how many FA we lose vs. how many we sign.

Thanks. That’s one of my blind spots lol. 

[Fantasy Island]

[Lith]

42 minutes ago, Larz said:

I have no idea how the formula works. What is it based on?  
 

Either way my point is keep him around to protect Rodgers 

Agree with you that we should keep him around.

It is based on how many FAs you sign and lose.  Sign 4 guys and lose 3, you are not getting a pick.  Sign 2 and lose 4, you may be in position for two picks.  The round of the pick depends on how much your FAs sign for elsewhere.  If you lose more than you sign and Becton signs a big deal, we could net a 3.

There is more to it than this as not every FA is considered in the formula--if a guy is released he does not count.  I think signings after a certain date don't count either.  If George Fant signs now, it is too late and he won't count in the formula for us.

[FidelioJet]

3 hours ago, slats said:

Not really the year to be trading a starting caliber OT for a future pick. The Jets have enough experience with injuries to the OL to understand that, I’d think. Unless they traded him for someone else’s disgruntled tackle? 
 
Suspect the beat is just being provocative here. That is their job. 

Yeah, the only way you make a trade like this would be for a starting caliber T - maybe trading away a question mark with massive upside in Bacton for a more established T (even if less upside) for this two year run the Jets are going to be on.

A move like that would be great- but  highly doubt it could happen.

Which is why I think the idea of a trading him is nonsense...

[Joe W. Namath]

Because of his actions, you would think he would be traded based on how this organization operates.  But, protecting Rodgers is the main goal here.  Rodgers would have to sign off on being ok w/ this.  Rodgers has specifically mentioned Becton in a few press conferences which makes me believe he is going to stick around.

[Integrity28]

9 hours ago, Maxman said:

I can't see him being traded. Very interesting that Cimini thinks it is possible though.

By definition, anything is possible.

[Beerfish]

Unless there is a clear must do financial reason it would be very silly to trade the guy and I'm one of his big critics.

[jtomm]

4 hours ago, Kleckineau said:

Take a second round pick and back up the moving truck. A big moving truck.

^^   ..truckS    😉

[rangerous]

Doesn’t matter what the talking heads think.  I think it’s safe to say, unless there’s some reason to think differently, Douglas will answer a phone call about becton.  Hard to see more than a handful of jets players who are untouchable even at this late date.

[Barry McCockinner]

[jtomm]

15 hours ago, JetNation said:

Written by Glenn NaughtonCould the New York Jets really be considering moving Mekhi Becton? 

Will it happen?

***Should Becton impress early on in the pre-season and have another club call to inquire, the Jets may be more than willing to listen.

The post Could Jets Really be Considering Moving Mekhi Becton? appeared first on JetNation.com - New York Jets Blog & Forum.

Click here to read the full story...

..yes, they're considering moving him.       i hope they don't. keep him at OLT.      they should always Listen to teams re trade offers  😎

[Bugg]

3 hours ago, slats said:

Not really the year to be trading a starting caliber OT for a future pick. The Jets have enough experience with injuries to the OL to understand that, I’d think. Unless they traded him for someone else’s disgruntled tackle? 
 
Suspect the beat is just being provocative here. That is their job. 

Also very possible Douglas will not be offering Becton a big ass 2nd contract. But don't see any trade unless and until the Jets are completely comfortable with a solid OL with depth. And depth is key. With old guy HoF #8 as the starting QB, you aren't putting his protection in the hands of street free agents.