In the swirl of an NFL Draft weekend, Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles kept their eyes wide open. Always thinking of ways to upgrade the roster, no matter the method, Roseman had an action-packed three days and nights: Nine players selected, eight trades made, and three additional picks added for the 2025 NFL Draft.
And a move that made that mantra clear came on Monday when the Eagles announced they had signed offensive lineman Mekhi Becton, a first-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2020 (11th overall), to a one-year deal to add depth and experience to the offensive tackle positions.
Becton is a massive man at 6-7, 364 pounds whose career in New York got off to a promising beginning as he started 13 of the 14 games in which he played at left tackle and was on the field for 81 percent of the Jets' offensive plays.
Expecting to take a significant step forward in his second season, Becton instead suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 as the team's starting left tackle. He spent the rest of the year recovering from surgery rather than developing his game.
Then, with another offseason under his belt, Becton hoped to make the transition to right tackle a positive one, but a preseason injury sent him once again to the Injured Reserve list for another lost season.
Last year with the Jets, Becton started 16 games at left tackle, playing 95 percent of the offensive snaps. His play was up and down, as was the Jets' offense, and Becton was waiting for the right opportunity to join a team in 2024.
The Eagles drafted a pair of interior offensive linemen over the weekend but did not address the tackle position.
"It's just how the board fell," Roseman said on Saturday. "I think there was a run on offensive linemen in some areas where we didn't pick. When we came back and picked in some of those rounds, it didn't really fit. We felt like it was more important to stay true to our board than to just kind of reach."
This is what is important to understand: The Eagles didn't reach in the draft because they were working other channels to address their depth at offensive tackle, which now includes Becton. It's an enviable situation for Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland, who no doubt relishes the chance to work with a player like Becton, who has played 883 of his 984 career snaps with 30 starts in 31 games at left tackle.
It is a win/win, clearly, and it speaks to the Eagles' understanding of the landscape, their willingness to be creative in challenging the roster, and Roseman's vision and versatility to juggle a lot of balls at one time.
As Phase 2 of this offseason starts, the Eagles added a player with more experience than any tackle they could have taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Go inside the NovaCare Complex as the Eagles sign players – both new and returning veterans – for the 2024 season. Check out all of these exclusive photos in one spot.
A.J. Brown officially signed his contract extension on April 29, 2024.
T Mekhi Becton signed a one-year contract on April 29.
DeVonta Smith signs his three-year contract extension.
C.J. Uzomah signs a one-year contract.
Jordan Mailata signs his three-year contract extension!
Avonte Maddox signs a one-year contract to return to the Eagles.
Reed Blankenship signs his one-year contract extension.
Parris Campbell signs his one-year contract with the Eagles!
Will Grier signs his one-year contract with the Eagles!
Devin White
Oren Burks
PJ Mustipher
DeVante Parker signs his one-year contract with the Eagles!
Rick Lovato signs his one-year contract!
C.J. Gardner-Johnson signs his three-year contract!
Jake Elliott signs his four-year contract extension!
Braden Mann signs his two-year contract.
Matt Hennessy signs his one-year contract.
Saquon Barkley signs his three-year contract.
Bryce Huff signs his three-year contract.
Zack Baun signs his one-year contract.
Brandon Graham is back for a 15th season.
Landon Dickerson signs his four-year extension.
The Barkleys: Saquon, his girlfriend Anna, his son Saquon Jr., and daughter, Jada.
Avonte is back for his seventh season in Philly!
Guess who's back!?
Bryce is a Bird!
Saquon Barkley is an Eagle!
Zack Baun makes it official.
Matt Hennessy and his wife, Toni.
Devin White celebrates the moment with his mom, Coesha.
Devin White
Oren Burks
DeVonta Smith and his daughter, Kyse.
Oren Burks and his wife, Jocelyn, who are expecting their first child this summer.
Running back on the field, super dad off the field!
Landon celebrates with his wife, Brooke.
The Grahams: Brandon, his wife Carlyne, his daughter Emerson, and son, Bryson
4 more years for No. 4.
Jordan Mailata meets with the media after signing his extension.
Family on 3!
Landon Dickerson addresses the media.
Putting pen to paper!
Year 15 feels so good!
The Grahams: Brandon, his wife Carlyne, his daughter Emerson, and son, Bryson
It's official!
C.J. Gardner-Johnson and team dog, Reggie.
All aboard the Blankenship!
That's 6 contracts for BG with the Birds!
Vice President of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer Tom Hunkele meets with Zack Baun and Bryce Huff.
Jake Elliott meets with the media.
Zack Baun meets with Player Resource Coordinator/Assistant Director of Player Engagement Kathy Mair and Reggie.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson talks with reporters.
Bryce Huff meets with Associate Performance Nutrition Coordinator Stephanie Coppola and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Fernando Noriega.
C.J. Uzomah is happy to be in Philly!
DeVante Parker meets with the media after signing his contract.
Bryce Huff arrives at the NovaCare Complex.
Smitty addresses the media after signing his contract extension.
Jordan Mailata and his wife, Niki.
Matt Hennessy looks forward to wearing Midnight Green!
Bryce Huff tours the locker room at the NovaCare Complex with Vice President of Equipment Operations Greg Delimitros.
Zack Baun arrives at the NovaCare Complex.
Rick Lovato is the third-longest-tenured member on the Eagles' roster.
Zack Baun meets the media.
