Mekhi Becton had some rust to shake off in his return from a shoulder injury, but still stockpiled the dominant reps.
Run Game Dominance
It is beginning to become common knowledge around the league that Becton is capable of doing incredible things in the ground game. In his first start back, he was producing dominant reps as a run blocker just as frequently as usual.
Becton’s work in space this season has been magnificent. It’s obvious what a man with his size, athleticism, and strength can do to a defender when he is able to make contact. However, the difficult part of open-field blocking is actually making that contact. Getting your hands on a much smaller and quicker player in the open field is extremely tough, but Becton has excelled in that area.
With great anticipation and feel, Becton has been fantastic at positioning himself with favorable angles on defenders in space, rarely over- or under-running his target. This has allowed him to maximize his physical tools and make powerful contact with consistency.
On the crack toss, Becton pulls outside, locates the linebacker (Tremaine Edmunds), squares him up, and loads up into a two-hand punch to create enormous knockback. Becton is tripped by a defender from behind, but that takes nothing away from the rep. Edmunds is sent stumbling five yards downfield from the contact point.
You’re not supposed to be able to pick up defensive backs downfield at 364 pounds, but Becton has been making it look easy this year. On another crack toss, this time with a fake jet sweep motion, Becton pulls outside again. Becton targets Tre’Davious White and runs an accurate route to attack White’s inside shoulder, landing a shot on him about seven yards downfield. Making contact just outside of the numbers, Becton sends White careening into the sideline.
Some work from Becton in the power game here. Becton leaves the 6-technique to Ryan Griffin and climbs to the second level to take on the linebacker (Matt Milano). He maintains a strong base and uses short steps to maneuver through traffic and get a good angle on Milano. Becton strikes Milano in the upper body and blasts him nearly seven yards downfield from the point of first contact.
On this outside zone play, Becton gets low, shuffles outside, fires off his back foot, and lands his right hand directly in Mario Addison‘s chest, sending him packing. Becton stays with the play and gives Addison another shot after he recovers, knocking him out of the picture.
Perhaps the greatest compliment to Becton’s game – the fact that we often need to see the All-22 angle to appreciate the full extent of his dominance. He is a cheat code.
Passing Game: The Good
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