Jets News: No. 11 Overall Draft Pick Mekhi Becton Signs $18.4M Rookie Contract

The New York Jets don't need to worry about their first-round pick showing up to training camp on time anymore.   

Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton officially signed his rookie contract Monday evening, guaranteeing him $18.45 million, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Becton was the No. 11 overall pick in April and the third offensive tackle off the board, taken behind Andrew Thomas (No. 4 to the New York Giants) and Jedrick Wills Jr. (No. 10 to the Cleveland Browns).

With training camps opening July 28, the two sides needed to get the paperwork out of the way as soon as possible, especially as rookies are set to arrive a few days earlier than the rest of the roster.

Fortunately for the Jets, Becton is already in New York and getting acclimated to his new city.

The Louisville product stunned scouts at the combine this winter with a 40-yard-dash time of 5.10 seconds. 

At 6'7", 364 pounds, that type of movement was far from expected and helped his draft stock surge. For an offensive line in New York charged with opening up lanes and protecting running back Le'Veon Bell, that speed will certainly be an asset.

The Jets are also looking to improve a pass-protection unit that allowed 52 sacks—fourth-most in the NFL. 

With Becton under contract, New York can now get to work on rebuilding its offensive line and focusing on overall improvements in Year 2 under head coach Adam Gase.