Mehta’s Top 20 Jets Countdown: No. 13 LT Kelvin Beachum
The 2019 Jets have new uniforms, new coaches and a new general manager, but one familiar question remains after an unexpected shakeup after the draft: Are these the ‘Same Old Jets’?
Mike Maccagnan added some quality pieces before getting fired in May, but has this star-crossed franchise done enough to break an eight-year playoff drought?
I’ll be revealing my Top 20 players on the roster every weekday for the next four weeks in the run-up to training camp.
The list is made up of the players who I think will make the most impact for Adam Gase’s team this season. We’re not ranking guys solely based on past accomplishments. Get ready for some surprises with our projections.
No. 13: Kelvin Beachum
2018 ranking: 13
Position: Left tackle
Age at the start of the season: 30
2019 salary cap charge: $9.5 million
Contract status: Final year of a threeyear, $24 million deal
2018 Season in Review:
Beachum started all 16 games for a second consecutive season. Although the offensive line was shaky, Sam Darnold’s blind-side protector allowed the second fewest total pressures (28) in his seven-year career. Beachum allowed only six combined sacks and quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Focus.
He was a steady leader during a lost season.
2019 Outlook:
Beachum enters his contract year knowing full well that Gang Green has an eye on moving third-round pick Chuma Edoga into the starting lineup at one of the tackle spots in 2020. The veteran is no dummy.
Beachum has been a willing teacher for the rookie, but still has designs on producing at a high level. He might be 30, but he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon.
Beachum will have another chance to block for Le’Veon Bell, who played with him for three seasons in Pittsburgh. The lineman is fully aware that the dynamic running back will make everyone around him look better.
The Jets offensive line, frankly, could use some of Bell’s juice after Gang Green’s running backs had no gain or loss yardage on a league-high 26 percent of their carries last season.
“(He) make(s) people tap out, make(s) the defense tap out,” Beachum said. “I can allude to a number of games where he literally just wore the defense out. We just kept running the same play over and over and over. They knew it was coming, we knew it was coming, and he made somebody miss and just wore the defense out.”
Next on the Countdown: The forgotten man. Countdown Rewind:
No. 20 — C Jonotthan Harrison
No. 19 — LB Jachai Polite No. 18 — WR Quincy Enunwa
No. 17 — LB Jordan Jenkins No. 16 — RT Brandon Shell No. 15 — LB Avery Williamson
No. 14 — CB Trumaine Johnson