With the 14th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the New York Jets select USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, offensive lineman, USC. The Jets traded up from 23 to 14, giving up the 23rd, 66th, and 86th overall picks to the Vikings.
Analysis: Vera-Tucker probably wouldn’t have been an ideal tackle for every NFL team, but if you have a quick passing game with the intent to run power, he would be an asset on your offensive line, and given the progress he showed at the position in 2020, he should be seen more as a tackle than as a guard prospect. He switched from guard to tackle after two years at guard for the Trojans, and his outside upside is very high.
Grade: B. Vera-Tucker is a good guard, but I think he also has considerable upside at tackle over time. We’ll see where the Jets put him, but they obviously loved his potential to give up this much to move up. He does have the movement ability to excel in Mike LaFleur’s offense.