INDIANAPOLIS – When Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton was younger, his mother had to carry his birth certificate with her to youth football games.
Nobody believed the giant kid was really a pre-teen.
Today, Becton is still big. Actually, he’s the biggest offensive lineman at the NFL combine this week. At 6-foot-7 and 364 pounds, he’s the heaviest. That size comes with a 35 3/8-inch arm reach, which is great for fending off edge rushers.
Becton is expected to be one of the first offensive tackles drafted in 2020, but his size raises questions about how he’d fit into Kevin Stefanski’s zone-blocking scheme, which requires more mobility and athleticism from linemen.
Here are three more things to know about Becton:
1. He’s confident
If you’re looking for a shy rookie, Becton isn’t your guy.
“I feel I’m the most dominant tackle in this draft. You wouldn’t go wrong picking me,” he said. “The tape shows it. The tape shows that I finish almost every play. It’s as simple as that.”
What Becton loves most about football is physically dominating his opponent. He said it’s fun to see his foe on the ground every play. And also …
“I love to intimidate guys.”
If the Browns draft Becton with the 10th pick, he almost surely won’t be the first offensive tackle taken. And that could be a problem, because being the first lineman drafted is important to Becton.
“It’s real important,” he said. “Because I put the work in. I didn’t put the work in for nothing.”
2. The Browns interviewed him
Becton had a formal interview with the Browns on Tuesday, and said they spent the 18-minute session looking at game film.
“We were watching my technique and they were telling me what I was doing wrong,” he said. “They showed my good plays, showed my bad plays, so they’ll tell me what I did wrong on the bad plays and what I did good on the good plays.”
While Becton is full of confidence, he acknowledges that he can be more consistent with correct footwork and hand placement.
3. He rebounded from a rough 2018 season
Becton spent his first two seasons at Louisville switching sides on the offensive line, depending on the strength of the formation. That might’ve hurt his development.
It definitely didn’t help his game film. Becton said Wednesday that the work he put on film in 2018 pales in comparison to 2019. Due to that – as well as his background as an equally-talented football and basketball player – some have questioned his passion for football.
“My 2018 film, I wasn’t passionate (enough) about football, so I have to explain to them that I am passionate about football,” Becton said.
More Browns coverage
Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry, shared meals and the plan for the Browns to win quiet: Lesmerises
Berry: Joe Schobert has ‘earned the right to test the market’; non-committal on Olivier Vernon
What does Andrew Berry mean when he says he’s going to be aggressive? It’s about opportunity
Searching for the Browns’ version of Tyreek Hill: Meet TCU’s Jalen Reagor
Steelers hoping for a better Ben Roethlisberger and everything else we learned about the AFC North
Browns have ‘big plans’ for David Njoku and will tender Kareem Hunt
Ohio State WR K.J. Hill looks up to Browns’ Jarvis Landry because ‘he’s got that dog in him’
Berry will listen to trade offers for OBJ and others but ‘we view him as part of our future’
Tony Grossi suspended by ESPN Cleveland for calling Baker Mayfield a ‘midget’ on hot microphone
Jarvis Landry says Kobe Bryant’s death inspired him to have hip surgery
Tight ends and the Browns at NFL combine 2020: What you need to know
Like what you’re reading? You want more? Subscribe to Football Insider for exclusive Browns content, including daily texts from Mary Kay Cabot and cleveland.com's entire coverage team. Register quickly below using your phone number.