Should Dallas Cowboys Sign Free Agent Tackle Mekhi Becton from Jets? 3 Problems

The Dallas Cowboys are running out of options at left tackle. Could former New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton be a quality addition?

Aug 14, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (77) / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys have barely spent a dime bringing in talent that wasn’t already on the roster in 2023. As for talent already on the roster, little has been done to maintain players that put forward a 12-5 season.

Nowhere has Dallas felt that departure quite like the offensive line. Center Tyler Biadasz left for the rival Washington Commanders, and Canton-bound left tackle Tyron Smith is headed to the greener pastures of MetLife Stadium, signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets.

Yet, the Cowboys have sat tight, with no major signings to speak of aside from linebacker Eric Kendricks. They’ll likely turn to the NFL Draft for reinforcements up front, but head coach Mike McCarthy’s words implied they’d be players in the late stages of free agency.

Aug 14, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (77) / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

If so, who could they sign?

In Bleacher Report’s list of free agents each team should sign, Dallas is a match for former Jets tackle Mekhi Becton. ... though we're going to have to school B/R here a bit ...

“Right now, Tyler Smith is projected to make the switch from left guard to left tackle but signing Becton could keep the All-Pro at his best position,” Matt Holder wrote. “Even if Dallas wants to leave Smith on the edge, the former Jet has experience playing right tackle after making a couple of starts there last season and dating back to his college days at Louisville.”

Becton has first-round pedigree and positional versatility, though it’s worth noting that the tackle likely prefers to play on the left side. Replacing Smith means there’s big shoes to fill, but at 6-foot-7, and well over 300 pounds, the tools are available for him to succeed.

However, injuries have taken a toll on the potential that made Becton a lottery pick. Smith was Pro Football Focus’ fourth-ranked offensive tackle, with one sack and three penalties to his campaign. Becton meanwhile, was 52nd ranked tackle (out of 58 qualifiers), allowing a dozen sacks and 18 penalties. Unsurprisingly, both marks were among the worst in football. 

Becton is a reclamation project – one that generally doesn’t suit teams in a win-now window. Yet, even as some see reason to believe Dallas would be a good spot for him. ...

1 - The Cowboys have not indicated at all that Tyler Smith is "making the switch'' to tackle.

2 - The Cowboys would not wish to bench right tackle Terence Steele in favor of Becton.

3 - The Cowboys do not seem inclined to spend money at this level, with Becton projected to earn a $5 mil APY contract. (Dallas seems semi-locked in on drafting an O-lineman instead.)

 With left guard Tyler Smith and right guard Zack Martin opposite him, the Cowboys could give Becton the most talented linemates of his career. With a quarterback that won’t be detrimentally extending plays past their expiration date and an offense heavily reliant on the quick game, Frisco could prove to be fruitful for Becton.