After the Cincinnati Bengals closed out a contract with excellent three-technique defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins last night, their biggest needs are nearly addressed as the free agency market proceeds to move at lightning speed. After all, that should be the overarching goal of the free agency window: close out all major needs so that you can act freely during the NFL Draft. If Cincinnati can do that, they can focus on drafting based on overall talent rather than be blinded based on desperate needs.
Cincinnati Bengals to Meet with Huge Offensive Lineman on Thursday Afternoon
While defensive tackle has at least been addressed up front, Cincinnati is still in desperate need of an offensive tackle after last season’s starter on the right side Jonah Williams signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday evening. As of before this moment, Cincinnati’s best replacement for the Alabama product is the 2019 second round pick Cody Ford. Ford has a huge frame but there is broad concern that his size and lack of agility could prevent him from being a reliable pass protector for star quarterback Joe Burrow next season.
It should be a major relief to fans that Duke Tobin and the Cincinnati front office is expecting a visit from former New York Jets offensive tackle Mehki Becton on Thursday afternoon. When he was being scouted out of Louisville prior to the 2020 NFL Draft, Becton blew fans away with his combination of size and athleticism. That impression led to Becton being drafted eleventh overall that season by New York in an effort to provide an improvement to their team in the trenches.
While he has tremendous physical gifts, Becton has had major issues with injuries after he has only played in 31 games during his time with the New York Jets and missed 37 due to a variety of substantial knee injuries. While some players just can’t over injuries, the talent and athleticism that Becton brings to the table deserves consideration as he could become a long term staple at the right tackle position.
During the offseason, I had Becton listed as my number one option at right tackle amongst a somewhat beleaguered array of available talent. On top of his physical gifts, he went to college a short drive down the road at the University of Louisville. That means that he is familiar with playing sports in the Midwest and just how obsessive the fans can be about their teams.
On top of that, Becton will likely come in on a cheaper contract due to his health struggles over the past few seasons. Becton has established himself as an elite talent on the offensive line but hasn’t been able to be healthy long enough to really be utilized. On this Cincinnati offense with the talented cast of receivers that Burrow has at his disposal, Becton will be a huge asset on the right side protecting his quarterback from the best pass rushers in the NFL.
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