:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66672021/1209346843.jpg.0.jpg)
The New York Giants decision process at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft might have just gotten a bit more complicated.
Ian Rappoport of the NFL Network is reporting that NFL teams have been notified that Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton had a sample “flagged” at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.
Multiple players had drug tests flagged at the NFL Combine & among those is projected top 10 pick #Louisville OT Mekhi Becton, I’m told. Teams were made aware of this. Becton had no failed drug tests in college. Per new CBA rules, he goes into Stage 1 for no more than 60 days.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 18, 2020
It should be noted that Becton’s sample is labeled as “flagged,” and not “failed.” Also we don’t know what it was flagged for at this point.
We don’t know what impact this could have on Becton’s draft stock, considering the close proximity to the draft itself and this year’s unique circumstances and challenges. This could raise some uncertainty around Becton and teams could drop him down draft boards out of caution and uncertainty, or it could have no impact given the changes regarding drug suspension under the new CBA.
Becton is the second player heavily linked to the Giants to have an irregularity with a drug test at the Combine. Wisconsin EDGE/LB Zack Baun notified teams that he had a diluted sample at the Combine.