Jets general manager Joe Douglas wanted an offensive tackle, but he wasn't so sure there would be one left for him to take.
Yet, with the No. 11 pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday, the Jets had their choice between Iowa's Tristan Wirfs and Louisville's Mekhi Becton, and decided to go with the 6-foot-7, 364-pound offensive tackle from Louisville.
"We're so excited to have a guy with this size and athletic ability, a guy we really feel can fortify our front for the long term," Douglas said in a conference call. "Obviously, the first thing that jumps out on Mekhi when you see him play is the size and the ease of his ability to move, his footwork, and then his heavy hands and how he can move people off the ball."
Some may argue that the Jets should have went with Wirfs — who was projected by analysts to be a top 10 pick — but Douglas said that Becton was ranked atop the team's draft board when it was their turn to pick.
"He certainly was the best player on our board when we took him," Douglas said. "We love a lot of the physical traits that he brings, and the toughness traits that he brings to the team and to the offensive line. I can't wait to get him up here and let him compete."
Becton wowed scouts and evaluators at the NFL Combine in Februrary when he ran a 5.1 40-yard dash, which is quick for a lineman, especially one of his monstrous size.
"That was certainly eye-opening," Douglas said. "A man that size isn't supposed to be as nimble as he is."
One of the concerns regarding Becton was that he recently had a drug test flagged at the NFL Combine, but Douglas said he spoke to many people around Becton and had a one-on-one conversation with him about it on Wednesday that helped ease any concerns.
Head coach Adam Gase said he expects Becton to add some nastiness to the o-line room, a label Becton takes pride in.
"I like to see the man on the ground, stay on the ground," Becton said on a conference call.
Becton joins a revamped offensive line that includes newcomers George Fant on the left side and Connor McGovern at center.
"I think this just emphasized our vision of providing protection and playmakers to our quarterback," Douglas added. "This is the protection aspect. We're excited about Mekhi."
