The Los Angeles Chargers didn't have the splashiest of NFL offseasons, as their two most high-profile signings—outside of the reunions with Mike Williams (who retired) and Keenan Allen anyway—were running back Najee Harris and offensive guard Mekhi Becton.
Things obviously didn't work out great with Harris, who missed the entire preseason after suffering an eye injury in a July 4 fireworks incident and is now lost for the year after tearing his left Achilles tendon in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos.
As for Becton, who was the most expensive signing the Chargers made, as the 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft received a two-year deal worth up to $20 million, things aren't really working out there either.
Mekhi Becton is not playing to the level the Chargers expected
Let's not get this twisted. The LA offensive line as a whole has been an absolute mess, which shouldn't come as a big shock to anyone, what with two-time Pro Bowler Rashawn Slater suffering a season-ending torn patellar tendon during training camp and second-year stud Joe Alt already missing three of the Chargers' seven games after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 4 against the New York Giants.
But Becton has been brutally bad. Now, we don't buy into the notion that PFF grades mean everything, as they often don't tell the entire story. That said, however, the fine folks at that organization watch offensive linemen maybe more than anyone, and his marks are hard to ignore.
Among the 113 offensive guards who've taken enough snaps to receive grades, Becton's 41.4 overall grade ranks 105th, his 40.9 run-blocking grade ranks 108th, and his 48.9 pass-blocking grade ranks 80th. That's a problem. But even taking grades out of it, those who have actually tuned in to Chargers games this year—as we here at Bolt Beat obviously do—it's not as if he's looked great in real time either.
And that's just immensely disappointing, as the Chargers were seemingly so thrilled about acquiring Becton that they didn't feel the need to make any additional moves on an inferior interior, opting to stick with Bradley Bozeman and Zion Johnson. Yes, Jim Harbaugh made the odd decision to have the two switch spots at times during training camp, which obviously didn't work out. Johnson and Bozeman have overall PFF grades of 57.4 and 51.2, by the way.
For those who may not know, Becton actually came into the league as a tackle with the New York Jets and actually had a solid rookie season before suffering a catastrophic knee injury that forced him out of action for nearly two full seasons.
The Louisville alum switched to guard last season with the Philadelphia Eagles and performed well, which is why the Bolts were so excited about signing him. But playing in the trenches for the Eagles clearly isn't the same as playing in the trenches with the Chargers, is it?
To his credit, Becton has yet to allow a sack on Justin Herbert this season. But he has allowed 12 pressures (seven alone this past week in the loss to the Colts), ranking 85th in that regard, three QB hits, ranking 95th there, and has been called for four penalties, ranking 104th. And pass blocking is where he's been at his best, which gives you an indication of just how bad he's been in the running game.
Given the overall injury issues the O-line has faced, the Chargers really have no choice to keep him in the lineup. But the Bolts did include an out clause in his contract after this season, which would only cost them $2.5 million in dead-cap money. And if Becton continues to struggle as the year progresses, they might be wise to exercise it.