May 19th, 2020 
CJ 
Posted in 
Mekhi Becton’s first month in the NFL has been nothing like he could’ve ever expected, Chris Iseman of NorthJersey.com reports.
With players and coaches scattered around the country because of the coronavirus pandemic, Becton has been participating in virtual meetings, learning the playbook and texting some of his new teammates.
But that’s the extent of what he’s been able to do with the New York Jets.
“It’s definitely been weird because I can’t go on the field and physically walk through the plays so I can get a better understanding of them,” Becton said on a Zoom call with reporters Monday. “That would be the only weird aspect of it.”
Drafted 11th overall out of Louisville in April, Becton could be tasked with protecting quarterback Sam Darnold’s blind side as the left tackle, a role the Jets hope Becton could hold for many years.
A rare combination of size and athleticism, the 6-foot-7, 364-pound Becton says he has two goals for his rookie season.
“I want to start as a rookie and I want to make the playoffs,” Becton said.
Becton, who said he has told general manager Joe Douglas that he would like to wear No. 77 because he wants to try something new, has a strong chance at landing a starting job at either left or right tackle as a rookie.
His other goal of making the playoffs could be tougher to accomplish, but he could play a big role in eventually helping to make that happen.
He and Darnold recently exchanged texts, and he’s also been in contact with running back Le’Veon Bell, who told him to “lock his (phone) number in.”
Becton still has to wait to better get to know his new teammates in person.
“Right now we’ve just been doing a lot of virtual meetings,” Becton said. “I’ve been seeing their faces but I haven’t talked to any of the vets yet. I haven’t gotten to know them personally. We’ve just been doing meetings. The rookies have been doing side meetings on their own with the vets. I’ve just been studying and doing extra studying with the playbook. That’s what I’ve been getting from it.”
