Mekhi Becton’s voluntary absence from training doesn’t worry Jets

The Jets had a major absence in the first week of their voluntary offseason program.

Tackle Mekhi Becton has opted to remain in Dallas rather than join the team at Florham Park this week. The offseason program began on Monday.

“These are voluntary,” said general manager Joe Douglas. “Only with regard to Mekhi, we had great conversations and discussions with his medical team in Dallas. With him we have everything under control. Again, these are voluntary sessions.”

According to a source, Becton’s girlfriend is expecting a baby soon and he wants to stay with her in Dallas until the baby is born.

It’s a big season for Becton, who missed all but one game last year. He suffered a knee injury in Week 1 against the Panthers that required surgery. He was due to return but missed the rest of the season.

The Jets have not guaranteed he will be back at left flank this season, in the position where he started his first two years. He has to compete with George Fant, who did a good job for Becton last year, for the left tackle spot and could play right tackle instead.

The Jets added safety/linebacker Marcell Harris Thursday, according to NFL Network.

The 27-year-old has spent the last four seasons in San Francisco and will reunite with Robert Saleh in New York.

Harris, a sixth-round pick in Florida in 2018, started his career as a safety before switching to linebacker last season. As a rotation player and special teams contributor, he has recorded 155 career tackles, nine passes defended, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception in 52 career games.

The Jets could face an interesting decision with their fourth overall win. The best offensive lineman in this class, NC State’s Ickey Ekwonu, could be available. But will the Jets take an offensive lineman in the first round for the third straight year? Especially if there was no obvious starting position open on the line?

Douglas was asked if he should take the “best available player” or consider the need.

“I think you run into trouble if you divide it up based on need,” Douglas said. “I think you have to take the best player available. Özzie [Newsome] There used to be a saying, “Today’s luxury may be tomorrow’s necessity.” If you get away from your process, if you get away from your board, I think you can get into a real jam.”

This is Douglas’ third offseason as GM but his first as he was able to visit prospects at the training center after COVID-19 made those 2020 and 2021 meetings virtual.

“It’s been a great off-season,” Douglas said. “This is really our first off-season since we’ve both been here where we’ve actually been able to bring players into the building and spend time with them pre-draft and walk through the pre-draft process with the players. It was a great experience just sitting down with these guys [top] 30 visits, just hanging out face to face with these guys as much as possible, including the Senior Bowl.”