Alijah Vera-Tucker signed his NY Jets contract.
Getty Images

New York Jets first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker signed his rookie contract on Tuesday, leaving two of the team’s rookies left unsigned.

Michael Nania

One down, two to go.

The New York Jets announced that they have agreed to terms with first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the interior offensive lineman received a fully guaranteed four-year deal with a fifth-year team option (as expected for first-round picks). It is worth $15.885 million with an $8.9 million signing bonus.

With Vera-Tucker’s deal wrapped up, quarterback Zach Wilson and wide receiver Elijah Moore are left as the Jets’ only rookies who have not put pen to paper.

The Jets’ rookie class reported to the team facility in Florham Park today, July 20, allowing Vera-Tucker to sign his deal. Training camp will officially begin next Wednesday, July 28.

Vera-Tucker heads into his rookie season as one of the most highly-valued players on the Jets’ roster. Joe Douglas sent two third-round picks (66th and 86th overall) and the 23rd pick of the first round to the Minnesota Vikings (Minnesota also sent back a fourth-round pick, 143rd overall) in order to move up to the 14th overall slot and nab Vera-Tucker.

A native of Oakland, CA, and a product of Bishop O’Dowd high school in Oakland, Vera-Tucker offers intriguing athleticism and versatility to the Jets’ offensive line. He burst onto the scene as one of the nation’s best left guards as a redshirt sophomore in 2019, and then in 2020, he switched over to left tackle and was one of the country’s best performers at that position.

In New York, Vera-Tucker is expected to begin his career at left guard, filling a hole in the spot where Alex Lewis struggled last season.

The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Vera-Tucker lit up his pro day, showcasing agility, burst, and quickness – traits that are necessary to thrive in the outside-zone running scheme that Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is set to carry over from San Francisco.

Vera-Tucker’s 32-inch vertical jump ranks at the 92nd percentile all-time among guard prospects, while his 5.13-second time in the forty-yard dash ranks at the 82nd percentile. He also posted great marks in the broad jump (106 inches, 77th percentile) and the 20-yard shuttle (4.63 seconds, 76th percentile).

Jets X-Factor Membership

As for Moore and Wilson, the Jets will certainly be hoping to get their contracts done prior to the start of camp to avoid any distractions or missed time for the promising youngsters. Both players are already in town and will be for the next eight days prior to the opening of camp, so the window has opened for the two contract situations to progress quickly.

Audio Version available to members only: Learn more here

Download Jet X Mobile on the App Store and Google Play.

Want More NY Jets News & Jets X-Factor Content?

Download the free Jet X Mobile App to get customizable notifications directly to your iOS (App Store) or Google/Android (Google Play) device.

Add Jets X-Factor to your Google News feed to stay up to date with the New York Jets.

Follow us on Twitter @jetsxfactor for all the latest New York Jets news, Facebook for even more, Instagram for some of the top NY Jets images, and YouTube for original Jets X-Factor videos.

Join the official Jets Discord community to connect with likeminded fans.

Michael Nania is one of the best analytical New York Jets minds in the world, combining his statistical expertise with game film to add proper context to the data. Nania scrapes every corner, ensuring you know all there is to know about everyone from the QB to the long snapper. Nania's Numbers, Nania's QB Grades, and Nania's All-22 give fans a deeper and more well-rounded dive into the Jets than anyone else can offer. Email: michael.nania[at]jetsxfactor.com - Twitter: @Michael_Nania
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
3 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
JetOrange
JetOrange
2 years ago

Starter from year one, 4 years

Gary Berman
Gary Berman
2 years ago

The fact that they’re in the area early, bodes well.
I am really excited to see Becton and Vera-Tucker develop together on the left side for years to come.