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NFL Draft 2020: Scout’s weird Mekhi Becton ‘cooking’ criticism

With the 2020 NFL Draft just days away, ’tis the season for scouts cloaked in anonymity to leak bizarre takes on prospects. Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton is regarded as one of the top prospects at his position along with Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, but one unnamed scout told …

With the 2020 NFL Draft just days away, ’tis the season for scouts cloaked in anonymity to leak bizarre takes on prospects.

Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton is regarded as one of the top prospects at his position along with Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, but one unnamed scout told The Athletic’s Bob McGinn that he doesn’t think Becton belongs in that tier because of his love affair with food.

“Know why I have him fifth [among offensive tackles]? Because he loves to cook and eat more than he loves frigging football,” the scout told McGinn for his annual, nine-part NFL Draft series.

The scout continued by drawing parallels between Becton and Raiders Pro Bowl tackle Trent Brown, who had similar measurables at the 2015 NFL Combine (6-foot-8 1/2, 353 pounds).

“He can be a freak now,” the scout said according to McGinn. “You could hit on him.”

Becton is an absolute unit, even by offensive lineman standards. Standing at 6-feet-7 3/8 and 364 pounds, the 20-year-old All-ACC player was the heaviest and fourth-tallest prospect at the 2020 NFL Combine, weighing about 49 pounds heavier than the average lineman in his draft class.

Louisville’s Mekhi Becton, Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Georgia’s Anthony Thomas at the 2020 NFL CombineGetty Images

His closest competition, Wills (6-foot-4 1/4, 312 pounds), Thomas (6-foot-5 1/8, 315 pounds) and Wirfs (6-foot-4 1/8, 321 pounds), are even dwarfed by his towering stature.

In spite of his size, Becton clocked a speedy 5.1-second 40-yard dash time at the combine, which ranked 13th among 40 offensive linemen.

Becton is a potential target for the Giants (No. 4) and Jets (No. 11) near the top of the draft as both teams are in desperate need of offensive line help.

“I think there are three really good ones who are going to be Pro Bowl players: Becton and Wills right close to each other and then Wirfs,” NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah told The Post. “[Becton] has the most upside by far. There’s not many guys walking around like him. A rare, rare physical specimen.”

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