The New Orleans Saints are in hot trouble. After missing the playoffs every year since the conclusion of the Drew Brees era, the pressure is on head coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr to finally break the drought in 2024. Unfortunately, former All-Pro lineman Ryan Ramczyk may not be available for the 2019 season since he is recovering from a season-ending knee injury. With left tackle still a significant question mark, the team may be forced to sign a cheap free agent tackle like Mekhi Becton as a stopgap replacement.
Ryan Ramcyzk told reporters in December that his knee’s cartilage was deteriorating. This procedure was meant to solve the problem, but head coach Dennis Allen delivered a gloomy update during the NFL annual league meeting.
“He’s just not exactly where I was expecting he’d be, or, to be honest, where he expected to be. But … There’s a long time till we kick the ball off, so I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions right now, but we’ll see how things go over the next three, four, five, or six months, whatever it is, before we start the season.
Dennis Allen appears to be upbeat, but this could be a staged performance. At the end of the day, damaged cartilage is a huge concern, and the team must plan for the worst. With all of the trustworthy tackles already signed, the Saints should go all in and sign Mekhi Becton as a free agency.
Could Mekhi Becton replace Ryan Ramczyk as a free agent?
Nobody expected the New York Jets to let Mekhi Becton, a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, become a free agency. The youngster had an early impact, receiving an above-average 74.4 PFF grade in his debut year in the league. Given that tackles have one of the most difficult transfers from college to the pros, his performance this season suggested that he was destined for greatness.
Unfortunately, that did not happen. Injuries forced Becton to miss all but one game over the next two years. While Mekhi Becton remained healthy in the final year of his contract, he did not set the world on fire before becoming a free agent. According to Pro Football Focus, the Louisville product concluded the season as the 66th best tackle among 81 players.
Mekhi Becton may have simply needed a year to shake off the rust, and he might be an excellent low-cost free agent addition. With Ramcyzk’s health in jeopardy, the Saints may be forced to risk on that outcome. Derek Carr struggles under pressure, and with huge questions at both tackle positions, this might be a difficult year for New Orleans. Becton has played both tackle positions and can start opposite whoever the Saints choose in the first round.
Mekhi Becton’s stock may be low, but the free agent should have some potential suitors. The reality is that there aren’t enough talented tackles to go around, so these teams may make a low-risk, high-reward gamble on the former first-round choice.
Possible Other Teams
New England Patriots
The Patriots will have a rookie quarterback next season, but they haven’t done anything to make things easier for their prospective franchise quarterback. With an underwhelming pass-catching corps, New England’s offensive line will have to pick up the slack in 2024. Unfortunately, they don’t have a left tackle after Trent Brown left in free agency. Mekhi Becton is possibly the finest free agent tackle left on the market, and if he regains his prior form, New England should have a solid offensive line for their rookie quarterback.
Kansas City Chiefs
Four of Kansas City’s five offensive line positions are fixed in stone. However, the left tackle position remains a huge question mark. Donovan Smith appears to have aged, as the veteran struggled with the Chiefs this season. Rather than returning to that unsatisfying well, Kansas City may elect to go all out with free agent Mekhi Becton. Becton would most likely relish the opportunity to rebuild his worth with a club aiming for the first three-peat in NFL history.
Los Angeles Chargers
Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman want to construct a physical football club that can win through exceptional blocking. Unfortunately, they do not have enough cap space to make that goal come true. After missing out on all the sure things, they may have to settle for Mekhi Becton as a free agent. Becton loves to play left tackle, but he will have to go to the right side and start opposite Rashawn Slater.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans addressed the majority of their issues in free agency, but they still need to find a dependable left tackle. While Joe Alt is likely to be drafted, they require an experienced veteran who can take the field if the youngster is not ready. Mekhi Becton is an excellent fit for this position because the free agent can start in a pinch but should not impede a young player’s growth.
Leave a Reply