Eagles could find their Mekhi Becton replacement in Georgia Bulldogs product on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft
The Philadelphia Eagles lost starting right guard Mekhi Becton to NFL free agency last month after he signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. That means the Eagles will be eyeing the 2025 NFL Draft for Becton's potential replacement, and they could find him on Day 2 in Georgia Bulldogs' Tate Ratledge. Ratledge, […]
The Philadelphia Eagles lost starting right guard Mekhi Becton to NFL free agency last month after he signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
That means the Eagles will be eyeing the 2025 NFL Draft for Becton's potential replacement, and they could find him on Day 2 in Georgia Bulldogs' Tate Ratledge.
Ratledge, a former four-star recruit from Tennessee, kicked off his college football career at Georgia in a reserve role before emerging as the Dawgs' starting right guard in 2022. In his final two years at Georgia, Ratledge logged 1,300 offensive snaps while allowing just two sacks, which earned him back-to-back First-Team All-SEC honors and All-American honors.
As if his Georgia resume wasn't enough, Ratledge added to it at the NFL Scouting Combine in February after he scored a 9.97 relative athletic score (out of 10), which ranked fifth out of 1,583 offensive guards dating back to 1987.
According to several draft experts, Ratledge is NFL-ready and has what it takes to become a full-time starter as a rookie.
Here is NFL.com's Lance Zierlein had to say about Ratledge in his NFL draft scouting report:
"A three-year starting right guard with a relatively safe floor, Ratledge plays with a dirt-dog mentality. His pad level is too high, but he mauls his way into early advantages in the run game. He has strong hands and uses them effectively to control and sustain his block. He’s an average athlete with adequate foot quickness and technique to get the job done. Ratledge lacks length and will reach when punching, opening him to quick counters. He sees and handles twists with above-average success and has enough anchor and redirect power to protect his pocket. Ratledge’s mentality and toughness should help him become a solid starter fairly quickly."
The Eagles are really hurting at right guard after losing Becton. They acquired veteran guard Kenyon Green in a trade with the Houston Texans, but Green has not done anything in the NFL to write home about. He also is not Jason Kelce-approved.
If Ratledge is on the board when the Eagles pick on Day 2, Philly would be silly to pass on him.
