New York Jets rookie Alijah Vera-Tucker has All-Pro potential (Film)

Alijah Vera-Tucker's film showcases incredible potential that made him worthy of the New York Jets trading up to nab him at No. 14. The New York Jets entered the 2021 NFL draft with some massive needs, one of the biggest being a guard to protect the quarterback that presumably would be taken at No. 2 overall. Pick No. 2 came and went. The Jets selected their new franchise quarterback (hopefully) in BYU’s Zach Wilson. Now, they desperately needed a player to plug in on the interior of the offensive line to help protect him. Joe Douglas and company evaluated their draft board as the night went on. When they saw Alijah Vera-Tucker (AVT) available at pick No. 14, which was owned by the Minnesota Vikings, they had to make a move. The Jets viewed AVT as a top 10 player on their board and weighed trading up for him versus what players could fall to pick No. 23. The Jets showed conviction, making an aggressive yet smart decision to trade up. Douglas traded No. 23 overall along with two third-round picks in exchange for the Minnesota Vikings' No. 14 overall pick and a late fourth-rounder, showing Jet fans that he wouldn’t repeat his predecessor's mistake of failing to build around his rookie QB. The Jets then selected AVT, the consensus best guard in the draft. He also offers versatility as he has played LT, LG and RG. AVT is viewed as a very safe prospect but also has an All-Pro ceiling. AVT projects to start at left guard next to Douglas’ first-ever draft pick in Mekhi Becton, again showing off Douglas’ dedication to the offensive line. What does AVT offer? Does he have what it takes to be a Pro Bowl level guard? Where does he need to improve? Let’s take a look at some plays showcasing AVT’s major strengths and weaknesses. Below, after the clips, you will find a full list of strengths and weaknesses and a video episode of Blewett’s Blitz where I break down AVT's film. Strengths Athleticism USC runs a lead outside zone, AVT (LG) is going to cheat to the second level as he needs to meet the LB, so he can't check the 1 tech (tight) for the center. AVT releases off of the line on a straight line to the linebackers outside peck, something that new Jets offensive line coach John Benton calls catch hand reach (CHR). As AVT closes ground the linebacker tries to undercut the block to get to the RB. AVT uses his "catch hand" (right hand here), which lands in its ideal spot under the armpit of the LB. That catch hand allows AVT to catch the LB and flips his hips to get back on the block to hold up the LB. Smooth flip of the hip as he "pop" steps with the left to slow himself down. Then drives off of the inn step to completely open his hips while also generating force into the LB. AVT also gets his left hand into the rib, maintains good leverage, and uses lift force while rolling his hips to move the LB inside. USC runs another lead outside zone, but this time it's away from AVT (LG), who has to get positional leverage on the NT. AVT gets assistance from the center who does a good job stuffing the NT to AVT but AVT still has to close a lot of ground. Pre-snap AVT loads up on his right leg which allows him to generate a lot of force to his right while he uses a "scooch" technique. AVT hops slightly backward but laterally with his left foot and the same with his right foot, effectively "losing ground to gain ground" on the NT. AVT makes sure to land on the "inn step" of the right foot which allows his 2nd step on his left foot to get vertical, he does this while working his right hand into the V of the neck and catching with his left hand. AVT then uses circular force to get his hips in front of the block. The NT attempts to drive back towards the ball, AVT drives him vertically into the turf. Pass Protection USC runs play action with both of the h-back and running back blocking off of the left side of the offensive line. The offensive line and AVT have gap protection to their right. AVT is aware of the defensive front and shows it. As he has the flexibility to assist the LT with the 3-tech but has to be aware of a possible blitz from the LB. AVT stays tight to the LT and throws out his drag hand/overlap as he stays square to the line of scrimmage with eyes on the LB. AVT doesn't feel the 3-tech so he slides inside, as he does so the LB, who was sucked up by the play action, drops into coverage. AVT then checks his right where he notices the center working against a DT and gets in on the block. Great pass rep for AVT. AVT steps to his right as the ball is snapped but the 2-tech angles to AVT's left as he is going to pick the LT on the TE or TEX stunt. AVT is very aware of the stunt, getting his left hand into the chest of the DT to slow him up and allow his LT to pick him up. AVT does so while making sure to not overcommit to the block, staying square to the line of scrimmage while keeping his eyes up. As the looper loops (pun intended), AVT does a great job timing it as he pushes off of the "picker" to help himself get back inside while "dropping his post" (inside foot here). AVT gets hands on the looper while taking a big step back (while making sure to work off of that inn step) with his right foot to anchor/absorb the blow. AVT successfully shuts down the stunt. Versatility While AVT projects to be a guard for the Jets, a big add-on to his value is that he also has the capability to play tackle in a pinch. Which he did so for his entire 2020 season and did so very well. Here AVT (LT) gets into his pass set but makes sure to stay tight to the LG as he has no immediate threat off of the edge. AVT throws his right hand which lands and helps the LG aboard some of the momentum/power of the 4i-tech while making sure to keep his post foot back and himself square to the edge threat. The LB/DB blitzes off of the edge, and as he closes ground on AVT, he jumps outside, landing his right into the ribs. AVT then hops back into his anchor off of his "inn steps" which generates force and helps absorb the bull rush. After absorbing the initial bull, AVT sets his "bridge" and shuts down the rush. Weaknesses I want to clarify that AVT doesn't have many weaknesses, his game is almost boring to watch because of how clean of a prospect he is. But there are ways for him to improve his overall game, things that may become bigger weaknesses at the NFL level. Can play high in the run game USC runs a mid/outside zone. AVT (LG) works to the DE on the combo block, allowing the LT to work to the 2nd level. AVT comes into the block high and with a shallow base, not creating the ideal pop and leverage he wants on the DE. AVT overtakes the block and drives the DE vertically. The DE gets his eyes back to the RB and sees the cutback. He drops his weight and is nearly is able to shed the block, but AVT's grip strength comes into play, as he is able to just hold him up enough. The DE is nearly able to shed the block because AVT isn't "climbing the tree" or working off of his inn steps. He instead drives off of his toes with a narrow base. Inconsistent hand placement This weakness doesn't show up all of the time, but is a factor in both pass and run downs. Here, the LG-RT slide right in their gap protection while the LT is on an island with the DE. AVT slides right to the near 1 tech who is initially blocked by the center. AVT shoots both of his hands, but both are too high. His right lands into the face of the NT and the left slips over the top of the shoulder, generating very little force on the NT. The NT is able to chop the hands of AVT and rush the b-gap. AVT shows some looseness in his hips as he drops his post (left foot here) to recover. Lands his left hand into the chest, but is never able to fully recover as the NT forks the outside arm, bull-rushes, and sheds AVT. Strengths Versatility as a guard and tackle Smart player Condensed footwork Anchor Smooth puller Active eyes Doesn't overextend/reach Tight elbows in the pass game Hands-on guard Saw more aggression/pop in the 2020 film Stays tight to o-lineman when he should Patient Punch timing Active drag hand Wide Athleticism Core strength Loose hips Change of direction Plays "long" Great at picking up blitzes and stunts Quick feet Takes good angles Body control Frames rushers well Doesn't overextend often Lateral movement Flexible Smooth puller Runs off ball Acceleration/deceleration Speed in the open field Gets hip to hip on combos Pre-snap and post-snap awareness Good balance/knee bend in pass protection Good drop his "post" quickly Knows when/how to power step Weaknesses Plays high too often (usually in the run game) Didn't see any snatch traps Arm length Needs to work to cover gaps more in run game Saw some of him getting splashed vs aggressive d-lineman Doesn't sustain second-level blocks long Feet can stall in the run game Hands can be high while run blocking Want to see more pop in hands Can get a little top-heavy because of base/lean Hands wide in the run game Doesn't roll hips in run game enough Average nastiness Delayed snap timing shown Hands can get "stuck" Narrow base while driving Doesn't create a ton of movement Can play high