LAOJoe & RTTRUTH's 11th Annual Collaborative Mock Draft

And the other news on him is a scout said he loves to eat & cook more than play football. All these stories match up. Dude has the munchies.

 

If it's non-narcotic it may not even affect his current stock.

If it is a narcotic or opioid based failure then he could see a bit of a tumble.

 

@YoungHawk03 is OTC

 

Should be noted, the NFL is calling it a "flagged" sample, not a "failed" sample.

https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/4/...ed-sample-from-ot-mekhi-becton-news-ny-giants

 

I did a little more sniffing around . . .

Turns out his combine test was "flagged". (Not necessarily a "fail") So that brings up a question in my mind.

Seeing as these tests are administered and controlled by the NFL, where do they draw the line between player confidentiality and their obligation to advise the 32 member teams of a questionable test result?

Technically, until these guys sign an NFL contract, they're not yet afforded protection under the NFLPA. Are they?

 

In my opinion, from all ive read, flagged and failed are the same thing. The issue also was a 'failed' DRUG test, something that never happened when he was in college, but they didn't test him for potato chips, it was for known and banned drugs. He was among a few others who were busted also. Also, I would like to add, the program that he has to enter is for staying clean from drugs and testing positive.

I read, CBS, Masslive, NFL.com, Bleacher Report and the USA today, Sports Illustrated articles. Failed and flagged were interchangeable and it was definitely a drug.

 

I have a list for GB when we reach him

 

I’ll be around all day. Just binging Netflix.

 

Was he the one that tested positive for a "diluted sample"? Somebody did, but I didn't bother keeping up with player names this week.

 

Zach Baun was the diluted sample

 

File under "FWIW":

I had the top 4 tackles ranked pretty close. (Keep in mind I was looking for a day one LT)

1. Andrew Thomas - Georgia. The only one of the four with extensive experience playing LT.
2. Jedrick Wills - Alabama.
3. Tristan Wirfs - Iowa. Wouldn't surprise me to see him moved to guard.
4. Mekhi Becton - Louisville.

I doubt this news drops Becton down past my number 5 (Austin Jackson - USC).

 

That gets into another interesting question... they do not yet have NFLPA status, but they do still have rights under HIPAA and those lab tests qualify as medical procedures. I'm guessing they have to sign a confidentiality waiver as part of accepting the invitation to the Combine.

 

He is rated to be a back-up to starter by NFL.com, he is rated above (on the same site) 4 players already taken who have a below 6.00 rating. Also rated a third round pick by NBC Sports, CBS Sports, a low round second by 24/7 sports, and a few opinion based fan sites.

 

It is always still subjective.

 

Had this discussion just the other day. When a person has a medical procedure done (to include lab testing), they have a reasonable right to privacy under HIPPA. But when a player accepts an invite to the NFL combine, he should have a reasonable expectation that test results (pass or fail) may very well be disclosed.

 

I have the same OT's as Lyman as my top 4, only in the exact reversed order...
Becton
Wirfs
Wills
Thomas

Gonna wait to see what the details are on this, if they give any. It would be nice to at least know what caused the sample to be flagged? I know, Baun said he simply consumed too much water before the weigh in.

It is confusing on the reports. Some are calling it an "irregularity".

I'm guessing it's weed, but isn't the NFL loosening up their stance on that? Hopefully more details emerge.

 

Yet we have cases where players mysteriously slide on draft day and we find later it was for medical reasons that weren't disclosed. So HIPAA still has power. I think there's a waiver involved.

I also think flagged vs failed sample might make a big difference in normal years, but this year (without pro days, private workouts, campus visits) teams are limited in their ability to follow up themselves so they will be more likely to assume the worst.

 

Also reading that he'll only be in stage one of the program for up to 60 days. If he has no other testing irregularities in that time, case dismissed and it is not a strike against him. So... sounds like flagged sample rather than failed test.

 

I'll take a different angle on this... there are a hell of a lot more players with first to third round grades than there are picks in rounds one through three. It's a mathematical certainty that some of them will go after round three.

 

I've seen him everywhere from 3rd to UDFA.

I honestly would be a bit shocked if he went before the 5th based on preseason perceived value, lackluster combine and lost tape due to injury.