N/S Chargers signed Guard Mekhi Becton to a 2-year, $20 million deal (20 Viewers)

[jesusfish]

His market was hotter on this message board than it was in real life.

 

[MikeyF]

The Chargers have Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Becton is sliding inside at Guard.

That is the making of a terrific OL group!

 

[SonOfNOLA]

I disagree wholeheartedly. Filling a need is the sole purpose of free agency. Accumulatingthe best players possible sans any qualifiers is role of the draft. He's not a complete unknown at left guard. He's literally played guard in the NFL. He also would've been between the best LT in last year's draft and perhaps the best Center in the NFL. Not exactly the same position as he was in with the Eagles, but not too far off.

What is more, the lunacy that thinking you can just go into the draft and pick up what you need like it's Rouses needs to absolutely die. We KNOW this isn't true. The Saints have seen it first hand with Ruiz and Penning. Sure perhaps now they are capable starters, but you're talking about drafting a rookie high and hoping it works out...once again! Let's not even discuss the collateral damage of missing out on the BPA because you're focused on reaching for a guard with your 2nd round pick.

I'm not saying Becton is the answer, but the Saints absolutely, positively should try to sign a starting guard before the draft.

To me, there’s better starting Guard value in FA than Becton for the Saints situation in cap outlook and personnel. Never said Saints shouldn’t sign a starting vet Guard FA before the draft. I don’t believe Becton’s value is a definite $10 million per year. Especially for the Saints OL since he hasn’t started at LG before.
A 2 year deal would’ve been great, but 10m/yr is a lot of cap to pay a player to be plugged at another new position.

To me, that’s the AAV of a player that you want to know what you’re getting at your vacant position on the OL, with several seasons of playing the position at a high level. His first great season comes in his 5th year, at a new position on the right side of an already elite O-Line. We have a young G entrenched on the right side for 5 years and never started at LG. I don’t believe Becton would be mentioned more than other FA Guards, particularly LG-experienced, if his most recent season was with the Jets or Bears, instead of the Eagles.

 

[St. Widge]

This article is reporting it was 2 years/$20 million. If that is the case, I would have taken that risk at his age.

Eagles 2026 compensatory draft pick tracker

The Philadelphia Eagles are likely going to lose a lot of good players in free agency this offseason to other teams around the NFL. However, one of the silver linings is that they will receive a maximum of four compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft for the players they lose, minus the players...

www.phillyvoice.com

I would have too, but I'm going to have to trust that Moore, Nuss, and Paganetti who worked with him last year would know if he's worth it or if he was just a product of being surrounded by better players on the Philly OL.

 

[SAINTSFAN]

To me, there’s better starting Guard value in FA than Becton for the Saints situation in cap outlook and personnel. Never said Saints shouldn’t sign a starting vet Guard FA before the draft. I don’t believe Becton’s value is a definite $10 million per year. Especially for the Saints OL since he hasn’t started at LG before.
A 2 year deal would’ve been great, but 10m/yr is a lot of cap to pay a player to be plugged at another new position.

To me, that’s the AAV of a player that you want to know what you’re getting at your vacant position on the OL, with several seasons of playing the position at a high level. His first great season comes in his 5th year, at a new position on the right side of an already elite O-Line. We have a young G entrenched on the right side for 5 years and never started at LG. I don’t believe Becton would be mentioned more than other FA Guards, particularly actual LGs, if his most recent season was with the Jets or Bears, instead of the Eagles.

At his age, teams are betting that his best football is ahead of him. You are right in that there is some risk in switching from right to left guard, but that AAV is somewhere around 20-25 of guards and we do not know how much is guaranteed. There are still a few interesting names available. Not sure the Saints want to bank on a rookie as bad our OL was last year. If they are fully in on Carr, he is light years better with good protection.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

At his age, teams are betting that his best football is ahead of him. You are right in that there is some risk in switching from right to left guard, but that AAV is somewhere around 20-25 of guards and we do not know how much is guaranteed. There are still a few interesting names available. Not sure the Saints want to bank on a rookie as bad our OL was last year. If they are fully in on Carr, he is light years better with good protection.

I would hate to see the Saints get bit by playing Becton out of position after taking enough contract risks as it is. Becton is a young OL with 1st round talent and coaching familiarity. He seems worth it to see what happens wherever he’s played at. But just don’t know if that made sense for the Saints right now.

There’s still starting vet Guards available like Teven Jenkins or Dalton Risner who could be signed on short term deals. A top LG draft prospect could be eased in behind them and potentially take the starting job before or by their 2nd year.

 

[MikeyF]

His market was hotter on this message board than it was in real life.

He signed a 2 year $20 million dollar contract.
That is right in the window that he was suppose to sign... 3 years $30 million.

He signed with a playoff team!

 

[rlpmd]

Guards getting over market like crazy. They be making out like bandits

 

[HouseCall]

Guards getting over market like crazy. They be making out like bandits

They always do. If you are semi-competent at guard you can make an absolute killing in free agency.

 

[livefromDC]

To me, there’s better starting Guard value in FA than Becton for the Saints situation in cap outlook and personnel. Never said Saints shouldn’t sign a starting vet Guard FA before the draft. I don’t believe Becton’s value is a definite $10 million per year. Especially for the Saints OL since he hasn’t started at LG before.
A 2 year deal would’ve been great, but 10m/yr is a lot of cap to pay a player to be plugged at another new position.

To me, that’s the AAV of a player that you want to know what you’re getting at your vacant position on the OL, with several seasons of playing the position at a high level. His first great season comes in his 5th year, at a new position on the right side of an already elite O-Line. We have a young G entrenched on the right side for 5 years and never started at LG. I don’t believe Becton would be mentioned more than other FA Guards, particularly actual LGs, if his most recent season was with the Jets or Bears, instead of the Eagles.

Ok, my fault. I thought you were saying in general you'd rather not spend the money in free agency to address left guard and get a guard on the 2nd day.

 

[madsaint1967]

So I was talking about this guy to my husband last night and he mistakenly thought that we had gotten him instead of just that many here WANTED him and was asking all kinds of questions.


Now he's gonna be disappointed.

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!!! I want Jenkins anyway.

 

[SoggyBottomBoy]

I would have too, but I'm going to have to trust that Moore, Nuss, and Paganetti who worked with him last year would know if he's worth it or if he was just a product of being surrounded by better players on the Philly OL.

Great point. We have his three coaches from last season. They’d know if he’s worth aggressively pursuing and maybe even overpaying a bit. And they’d know if he’s the product of working between a pair of stellar linemen.

And, as mentioned, he may simply want to play in LA for the Chargers.

 

[Tpstr]

They always do. If you are semi-competent at guard you can make an absolute killing in free agency.

Andres Peat waves hi.

 

[Bayou_City]

So the best guards in FA left are Teven Jenkins (who we haven't been linked to yet), Dalton Risner, Will Hernandez and then a 33 year old Brandon Scherff. Doesn't look like there are any crossovers between them and our current coaches.

We Drafting AN OG!!!!!

 

[la. champ1]

Good, there’s equivalent starting Guard talent on day 2 of the draft for $8 million cheaper on rookie salary. It probably didn’t make sense to pile up another large OL cap hit so soon.

I would’ve hate to see the Saints give Becton a big contract out of desperation to fill a need because of one season playing on a great Eagles O-Line. He would’ve been a complete unknown at Left Guard.

Maybe but yet we give a mediocre Jujuan Johnson at TE 3 years like 30 million.