Mekhi Becton Gets Popped
April 18th, 2020
Fails whiz quiz.
You would think a guy nearing the most important weekend of his young life, where if all goes well he could establish himself as a multimillionaire, would use his head.
But apparently that was not the case for offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, a likely top-ten pick in next week’s draft. And if you believe the rumors all over the place, Becton might be the apple of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s eye.
Becton, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, blew his drug test at the combine in February.
Multiple players had drug tests flagged at the NFL Combine & among those is projected top 10 pick #Louisville OT Mekhi Becton, I’m told. Teams were made aware of this. Becton had no failed drug tests in college. Per new CBA rules, he goes into Stage 1 for no more than 60 days.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 18, 2020
Now Joe has to be fair here. We do not and likely never will know what Becton got popped for. It could be something as innocent as him using an over-the-counter substance from a health store.
And no, Joe doesn’t care if he was smoking weed, though that (or something stronger) does bring into question what the hell was the guy thinking?
Yeah, in the big picture, it doesn’t mean anything if it is weed. But Joe will never forget hearing a story years ago from an NFL suit about how a guy pulled a stunt during a combine interview that anyone with an IQ of 75 or higher would never try to pull and expect to get a job, even to dig a ditch.
Yet this fool did.
The team that interviewed him just shrugged it off as a young player being nervous. His agent had his client call the coach the next day and apologize profusely. Apology accepted and the team drafted him because he had mad skills.
Well, this same player never got a second contract with the team that drafted him. It had absolutely nothing to do with his physical ability to play football. But the decision to release him very much had everything to do with the guy being a complete and total knucklehead.
So as a high-level NFL executive, you have to ask yourself: Is the guy the next Warren Sapp (who was wrongly accused of doing something way worse than weed), a Hall of Famer who turned a franchise around? Or is the guy someone who lacks simple common sense and has priorities other than football, ostensibly raking in untold millions to set up his family for generations?
Your decision, if wrong, could kill your career.
In the wake of this Becton news, smart Evan Silva, formerly of Rotoworld and co-founder of EstablishTheRun.com, updated his mock draft with Becton falling to the Bucs at No. 14.
April 18th, 2020 at 8:11 am
That is a big red flag! Joe does the team get to find out what he was popped for? If it was PEDs maybe that is why he ran such a fast 40. Either way at the very least it is a big concern about his decision making. Greg Robinson got busted a month or two ago hauling loads of weed cross country. That is part of the reason the Browns have to draft another tackle. If this guy isn’t a football junkie like Devin White and some other youngsters on this team he will probably end up being a bad investment long term.
April 18th, 2020 at 8:12 am
If Licht drafts him he is most certainly drafting a not so far in the future problem and ANOTHER draft bust. If the kid is that dumb move on.
April 18th, 2020 at 8:13 am
Ill take him
April 18th, 2020 at 8:20 am
I don’t care what it was or what he says…he would be off my list, He is either and Idiot or a primadonna. Bucs need team players especially as a first round pick! STAY AWAY!!!!
April 18th, 2020 at 8:27 am
I’ll take him but it will affect his stock and he’ll definitely fall to Bucs at 14
April 18th, 2020 at 8:28 am
Warren Sapp
April 18th, 2020 at 8:33 am
After listening to the podcast this AM…..I’d rater have Ruggs….
But, if this keeps us from trading up……good….
April 18th, 2020 at 8:46 am
There’s at least ALWAYS one!
While I agree with Joe in that what it was is less concerning, it’s the decision-making. I look at this and go, either he had a lapse of judgement, OR, this guy is going to be suspended and miss games.
We cannot afford player suspensions.
Do the homework Bucs.
April 18th, 2020 at 8:54 am
Too much talk of trading up. No need.
April 18th, 2020 at 8:58 am
Red flag? This is how we ended up with Warren Sapp, who was projected to be a top 3-5 pick but fell to Bucs under similar circumstances..
April 18th, 2020 at 9:02 am
Maybe we can get lucky like Miami with Tunsil.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:05 am
Would be nice, but I can’t help but notice Ruggs going to the Falcons. Ruggs, Ridley and Julio would not be fun. Their Defense stepped up under Raheem as well, Gnna be a dog fight. Someone is gonna go 10-6 and end up being on the outside looking in come playoff time, in favor of one of the crap 8-8 nfc East teams. But then again – this is where I favor the a 7th team. I’m all for preserving division rivalries (even tho nostalgia is a disease) but I’m also for the BEST teams making the playoffs
April 18th, 2020 at 9:05 am
If the draft plays out like above, trade back with the Eagles for their #21 and #53. The Eagles would love to pick Ceedee Lamb.
Josh Jones will be there at #21. Let the Dolphins at #18 take Becton.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:07 am
I would consider Jones at 14. I think he rates right up there with the so called top 4. Or maybe trade down a few spots & still get Jones or maybe even Becton if he starts to slip. To me there are a lot of good OT in this draft & the Bucs should think about a OT in rd3 & RB in rd 2 (Dobbins)
April 18th, 2020 at 9:11 am
Per new CBA rules, he goes into Stage 1 for no more than 60 days. So what the heck does Stage 1 mean? Does he have to stay away from the team, enter some ridiculous 60 day rehab program filled with meaningless classes, Have to take more random drug tests?
April 18th, 2020 at 9:17 am
Becton will not fall to 14, just to talented.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:19 am
Seems like some folks are jumping to conclusions. LOTS of detail missing in that story.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:26 am
If Lamb or Juedy are there, pick them and don’t look back. Evans, Godwin, Lamb/Juedy with Brady. It’s a PASSING LEAGUE become lethal, get the tackle in RD2. Look at who we play, we’re going to have to win some shootouts this season, again if Lamb or Juedy are there make the pick.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:27 am
He doesn’t look like a crackhead. I think he will be fine. Probably just choking on the hippie lettuce.
I’m not a huge fan of Becton. I would actually rather have Wirfs, Willis or Thomas.
But I wouldn’t exclude drafting him if it is just pot.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:30 am
BUCS GO RUNNING BACK IN ROUND 1, BOOK IT!
This is all makes too much sense that the Bucs go RB in the 1st and get their choice of the top back in the Draft… Swift or Taylor.
They’ll get the OT in the 2nd round if they don’t trade up slightly to get an OT that is still on the board that they really want.
Makes too much sense not to go RB and get one of the best backs in the draft.
Waiting until pick #45 in the 2nd round is NOT an option for the Bucs to get a RB or they’ll end up with the #5 or worse ranked back; too much of a risk when you need to make sure you add a game-changer back in a WIN NOW year.
All this “OT” talk and “trading up” stuff is a SMOKESCREEN. Bucs have their eyes focused on a back. Probably D’Andre Swift.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:32 am
Hey Joe – I think it’s Derrick Brooks birthday. One of the greatest Buc players ever.
DB55 – You da man!!! Happy Birthday. We miss you.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:34 am
The fact that he never failed a drug test before is a good sign. It would lead me to believe it is not habitual. As stated it could be something OTC. Remember that Warren Sapp fell to the Bucs because of marijuana and became one of the best DTs to play the game.
April 18th, 2020 at 9:39 am
Pass on him and take the shortest & slowest CB!…after trading up! That’d be perfect!
April 18th, 2020 at 9:40 am
I know the joes have smoked some marijuana in there day lol
April 18th, 2020 at 9:43 am
Great news for the Bucs…
Now, we might actually be able to get him at 14…
Hopefully, he drops like Laremy Tunsil did (who’s always been a Beast BTW)
April 18th, 2020 at 9:51 am
I smoke weed basically all day everyday and do everything with a buzz and I’m on top of my game in a few areas of my life (painting, playing piano, guitar, and entrepreneurship), and I’m very driven and focused on perpetual and continual improvement at my crafts and I’ve been successful thus far and hope to continue that success…
In my view, weed is a multiplier… Whatever you Are, it enhances that. (For me anyway)
So, obviously I’m not scared off by the weed thing (as long as the guy still has good work ethic and can execute his job functions at a high-level, no pun intended Lol)
April 18th, 2020 at 9:52 am
Ivan: read BA’s book. He says never take a RB in the 1st round unless he’s Gayle Sayres-type game changer. Why? there are always quality RBs in the 3-4th rounds. Place a bet with your bookie if you want to lose your money!
April 18th, 2020 at 9:58 am
I’m leery of the guy to start with. Up until 2 months ago, Becton was thought to be a mid to high 2nd rounder. Now he’s a top 10 pick? I see the measurables he has but what changed? His tape didn’t. I like the guy, but screwing up at this juncture just seems like something, be it common sense or worse stupidity, is really a red flag. Depending on what he had in his system, he could fall a long way.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:06 am
While we’re on the subject, Joe, is it OK if I post my Instagram link here?
https://www.instagram.com/erikhesson.abstractart/
April 18th, 2020 at 10:07 am
@Eric. I am with you. I have no problem with him taking weed (big if that is what it was).
It goes back to decision making. In your career when you were young. If someone hiring you wanted you to have a drug test before the hiring of you and you failed it. Maybe they still would have used your work or maybe you would have missed an opportunity.
Don’t know lots of details but might hurt him in the end.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:14 am
I believe the majority of modern athletes smoke, its so much better than oxy in the long run for painful nagging injuries. I think they should stop testing it for it and I don’t care he got caught. Still to **high** for a right tackle.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:20 am
If he popped for weed, take him.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:25 am
I agree with the ‘decision-making’ aspect of the debate…
I mean it’s definitely a red-flag in the Intelligence Dept to fail a planned drug test for any reason, ever.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:27 am
I am so easily influenced. Last night I listened to Ira’s podcast. The car dealer friend/patron of Joe’s was on. If I lived in Tampa–I no doubt would buy a car from him–he sounds like a real good guy. Anyway he wants the Bucs to draft Henry Ruggs in the 1st at #14 overall. Ira also said something smart: nobody in their right mind trades up to draft a right tackle in the upper draft. Perhaps shouldn’t even draft a right tackle period at #14.So I cannot imagine drafting a tackle who needs much development although he has athleticism and he is stupid–yes I said it really stupid. Anybody who fails a drug test at the combine is stupid (unless they mixed up sample or error at the lab). He is probably too stupid to be drafted even later than 14. I think Licht should get Jason Peters for 1 year or later round get a tackle. I also love the pick of CEH running back in rd 2 or cam akers in rd 3. Then go defense all the rest of draft except a tackle in later rounds.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:27 am
And a red-flag in regard to Discipline and Self-control…
Why can’t he resist partying for at least a couple months before a planned drug test to enter the FN NFL….
SMH.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:33 am
Bucs will never go for RB in first round, they’ll be at least 3 of the top 5 Rb for us to choose from in the second round and I hope we choose CEH
April 18th, 2020 at 11:16 am
hope he fall to us.
April 18th, 2020 at 11:33 am
Erik Hesson … And who said that Becton got popped for smoking weed? Didn’t see that anyplace in Joe’s story. And doing marijuana may multiply your ‘artistic talents’ but I’ll tell you what, it doesn’t do diddly for folks fighting to stay alive in combat who depend on their brothers to be 100% on their game & to ‘have their backs’. And that comes from someone who’s seen the effects of pot & other BS drugs on others far too up-close-and-personal.
April 18th, 2020 at 11:41 am
No way he drops this far unless it was something more than just weed. If so, pass.
April 18th, 2020 at 11:58 am
This reminds me of the Sapp situation in the draft. This could actually be our pick!
April 18th, 2020 at 12:03 pm
mickman Says
“I don’t care what it was or what he says…he would be off my list”
If it’s pot it is legal in the NFL now.
April 18th, 2020 at 12:10 pm
All the goody 2 shoe in here saying don’t draft him. You all would’ve been the genuis’ to pass on Sapp too right? And if he got busted for pot, who cares? That comes off the banned substance list next year so hell never be penalized for it if that’s what it is. This dude drops to 14, you absolutely take him.
April 18th, 2020 at 12:12 pm
@defenserules The effects of pot? And what would that be ? The munchies? Or are you one of those guys still stuck in the 60’s who realizes the alcohol you drink is 10 times worse for you than any pot you smoke?
April 18th, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Key difference between Sapp is he was regarded as the best player in the draft no just top 5. If not the positive test he could have been selected ahead of Kijana Carter. Sapp ABSOLUTELY dominated against top competition, he was practically unblockable in college. Bechton is still thought of as an Upside Player which concerns me to begin with. So I view these two scenarios differently. I remember when we traded back again and thought we lost Sapp but the Vikings selected Derrick Alexander out of FSU instead. I was sooooo happy bc I watched Sapp thrash FSU.. Only 3 HOF’s in rd 1 of that draft and the Bucs got 2 along w Derrick Brooks.. Bechton is NO W SAPP!! & Never will be!
We definitely need a RT but we have to play the board as it comes. If an opportunity to trade back exist and potentially still acquire the player they want that would be ideal.. RT, DT, RB & S all needs. Let’s hope they don’t trade up as speculation suggest. I know it may sound crazy but depth at CB is still an issue..
April 18th, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Warren Sapp was also know as a player who ABSOLUTELY loved playing football…. that’s not what’s being said about Bechton even prior to this incident
April 18th, 2020 at 12:38 pm
Pot will be completely legal all across this great land of ours within the next decade. It is proven to be good for pain. There are millions of very successful people in this country who are regular users of marijuana. It sure as hell is a lot better for you than alcohol. Some of you are stuck in the “Reefer Madness” era.
If Becton was popped for pot, it does not matter in the least.
April 18th, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Why do you guys keep talking about pot. Nobody knows what it was. My guess would be that it was PEDs as most players want to find an edge to do well in the combine. However, I don’t know either. Hopefully teams considering drafting him can be informed what type of drug he was popped for. What it was makes a big difference in whether or not the Bucs should select him IMO.
April 18th, 2020 at 1:30 pm
A.J.”The Real Deal” Dillon 14th pick 1st round BUCS!!!¡
April 18th, 2020 at 1:31 pm
Ask yourself, who would you rather have right now, Vernon Hargreaves or Laremy Tunsil? Kyle Brady or Warren Sapp?
Becton falling to us would be a godsend. He is a mammoth of a man and a specimen of an athlete. Plus word on the street is he has a nasty streak. Which manifests itself in his run locking, where he provides more explosion and push than other other prospect in this draft.
He has experience at both tackle spots and his pass protection is good despite some raw technique. For my money hes the best prospect at Tackle in the whole draft. If he falls and we dont take him we’ll regret it.
Becton plus Cam Akers or Jonathan Tayler in the 2nd, and this offense is primed to be nigh unstoppable.
April 18th, 2020 at 1:33 pm
Correcto Mundo there Alvin S. It is great for pain. I live out West here and I’m a card carrying member. Just picked up my bud script thurs..For pain of course.
April 18th, 2020 at 2:23 pm
Why are some of you claiming it would be a mistake to draft him???
Judgmental much?
1- It depends on what it was.
2- it depends on what the Bucs can find out
It could be innocent.
It could be a one time slip up
It could be a night celebrating -months Before the draft
It could be a major problem with drugs or stupidity to avoid.
We do not know, is the point
April 18th, 2020 at 2:28 pm
What a joke if it is cannabis. Would you rather ingest products from Big Pharma, aka the poison pill pushers?
April 18th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Yeah, Mike. Medically legal in Florida and my wife has a script.
April 18th, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Take him; licht wimped out on tunsil and drafted vh3; time to make up for the tunsil whiff
April 18th, 2020 at 5:19 pm
LOL at Mickman
Sapp was accused of marijuana AND cocaine use (recinded after the draft). You would have never picked him or be happy he was on our team? Also Sapp admitted he smoked all through his career.
April 18th, 2020 at 5:23 pm
We would not have selected Sapp if this was a genuine issue. Sapp never got popped after he was drafted.
I’ve always believed that had Dungy arrived a year earlier we would have never taken a “pot head”. Don’t think that would have worked out well for our SB Defense. And it would have erased an historid draft…Brooks and Sapp in one draft. We’ll never top that again.
April 18th, 2020 at 6:35 pm
when a big man is on the baking soda, his heart can explode into a thousand pieces like kryptonite
April 18th, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Super athletic but has no feet/technique. Unless he works incredibly hard I don’t think he will be that successful in the nfl. Prefer Wills
April 19th, 2020 at 8:45 am
Just like the Bucs last first overall pick, can’t remember his name. QB. 2015.
He didn’t get a second contract, wasn’tworthy, still not hired anwwhere. Another guy who threw it all away because he lacked commons sense, basic self-control, and was a disgrace to himself and his team. On field and off field decisions go hand-in-hand. Don’t take this OT.
April 19th, 2020 at 8:59 am
I trust BA and Licht to vet Becton and make the proper call if he slips to 14. If possible we need Becton’s nasty aggressiveness at RG and then bye bye to D. Smith. Flip Becton to LG next year and move Cappa to RT and by that time we can draft an OG for RG.
April 19th, 2020 at 10:44 am
So who was the knucklehead??
April 19th, 2020 at 4:30 pm
Ya’ll remember “gas mask” Tunsil? He turned out alright…