Jets' Preseason Position Battles: Starting Offensive Tackle Spots Spoken for?

Nothing guaranteed for former first-rounder Mekhi Becton heading into training camp

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Jul 10, 2023 6:43 AM EDT

In this story:

By now, we know what Mekhi Becton's offensive line depth chart looks like, but what will the New York Jets' official document say at the conclusion of the NFL Preseason?

Which players will be the starting tackles and which side will they occupy?

Becton, the Jets' 2020 first-round draft pick, clearly stated his preference in early May. The 6-foot-7 bookend posted a tweet that said, "I. AM. A. LEFT. TACKLE!!!"

Jets' head coach Robert Saleh responded to Becton with six simple words.

"Go earn the left tackle. Competition," said Saleh.

Meanwhile, Saleh appears to have veteran Duane Brown penciled in as Aaron Rodgers's blindside protector. Brown, who turns 38 years old next month, fought through injury to make 12 starts for the Jets in 2022, which was his first season with Gang Green.

"You guys know I love Duane. He won the first annual Selfless Warrior Award for the team in terms of just what he sacrificed," said Saleh. "Like I said, last year his money was guaranteed. He didn’t have to subject his body to what he did, but he stepped on the field, played as many games as he possibly could with torn rotator cuffs and did a really nice job."

Brown, a former first-round selection, has played on the left side of the line since starting 16 games as a rookie for the Houston Texans in 2008.

"He [Brown] obviously is very comfortable at that left tackle spot," said Saleh. "I have a feeling Duane will be a hard out anyway."

It sounds as if the team has settled on Brown at left tackle barring some kind of training camp upset. That leaves the right tackle spot open for Becton, but he'll have to earn it after missing the last two seasons due to injury.

"I think Max Mitchell has something to say about it. I think the young kid Carter Warren that we drafted, and Billy Turner," said Saleh during OTAs. "We have a lot of really good tackles right now that are competing to be one of the two tackles that are on the football field. So, it’ll be a good, healthy competition and those who attack it with the right mindset will end up reaping the benefits."

Mitchell and Warren are the team's fourth-round draft choices from the past two years while the 31-year-old Turner inked a one-year free-agent deal this spring. The Jets elected not to re-sign George Fant, who started 36 games for the club over the last three years.

"Whether right or left? No, best five are on the field," said Saleh.

Will Becton be part of the "best five" and what about the left side?

There's a lot on the line for Becton and the offensive line come training camp.

Jets' RT Candidates

Mekhi Becton

Number: 77
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 363
How/When Acquired: Drafted / 2020 Round 1 (No. 11 overall)
College: Louisville
Year: Fourth
2022 Final Stats: DNP

Becton was billed as a franchise bookend when the Jets drafted him 11th overall in 2020. The behemoth initially looked the part as he made 14 appearances (13 starts) as a rookie left tackle, but injuries have stunted his career. Becton has not played in a regular season game since the 2021 opener. He experienced a great deal of weight loss this offseason and appears to be in shape to win back his job. In spite of his availability problems, Becton is the favorite to earn the right tackle spot based upon his pedigree and natural ability.

Billy Turner

Number: 54
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 313
How/When Acquired: FA Signing / 2023 (from Broncos)
College: North Dakota State
Year: Tenth
2022 Final Stats: 8 GP, 7 GS (for Denver)

Turner could be the biggest threat to Becton's starting status. The grizzled veteran has 75 career starts under his belt and has a high familiarity with Jets' offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The right tackle made 13 starts for Green Bay in 2021. Over a three-year stint with the Rodgers, Hackett and the Packers, Turner started all 43 of his appearances.

Max Mitchell

Number: 61
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 299
How/When Acquired: Drafted / 2022 Round 4 (No. 111 overall)
College: Louisiana
Year: Second
2022 Final Stats: 6 GP, 5 GS

Mitchell was thrown into the fire as a fourth-round rookie and performed adequately. With injuries forcing the Louisiana product into the Week 1 starting lineup, Mitchell played 100 percent of the offensive snaps in his first three appearances prior to suffering injury in a Week 4 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mitchell returned in Week 12, but was subsequently shut down for the remainder of the 2022 campaign due to a blood clotting issue.

Carter Warren

Number: 67
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 323
How/When Acquired: Drafted / 2023 Round 4 (No. 120 overall)
College: Pittsburgh
Year: Rookie
2022 Final Stats: 4 GP, 4 GS (at Pitt)

The Garden State product showed pro potential while competing for Pittsburgh, but his final collegiate season ended prematurely due to a knee injury. Battling back from a meniscus tear, Warren was a non-participant during OTAs. At this point, Warren is likely not a plug-and-play tackle, but he provides insurance for the Jets beyond this season with Brown and Becton set to become free agents.