Alijah Vera-Tucker seems to have a favorite draft target for the New York Jets
If New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas allowed Alijah Vera-Tucker to run the war room for the first round of this year’s NFL draft, I think we know who Vera-Tucker would bring to Florham Park.
Vera-Tucker took to Twitter on Monday to pump up a player who has been commonly discussed as a possible target for the Jets with their 10th overall selection in the first round.
A different type of talent😤 https://t.co/BL8jANY2hK
— Alijah Vera-Tucker (@ALIJAHVT) February 21, 2022
Vera-Tucker called former USC teammate Drake London “a different type of talent,” responding to a video in which ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay labels London as the best wide receiver prospect in the draft.
At the website NFL Mock Draft Database, London is currently ranked as the internet’s No. 16 overall prospect based on data compiled from 26 big boards and over 500 mock drafts across the world. He is the No. 3 wide receiver prospect, trailing Arkansas’ Treylon Burks (No. 15) and Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson (No. 12).
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London and Vera-Tucker spent two seasons together at USC (2019-20). The Trojans went 13-6 over that span, thriving offensively with 32.7 points per game.
If the Jets select London in the first round, he would become the franchise’s eighth first-round pick from USC. The team has currently selected seven players from USC in the first round, more than any other school. Vera-Tucker’s selection at 14th overall in 2021 broke a tie with Ohio State (six first-round selections).
London would join the following Trojans who became first-round picks of the Jets:
- 2021, 14th overall: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL
- 2018, 3rd overall: Sam Darnold, QB
- 2015, 6th overall: Leonard Williams, DL
- 2009, 5th overall: Mark Sanchez, QB
- 1996, 1st overall: Keyshawn Johnson, WR
- 1988, 8th overall: Dave Cadigan, OL
- 1977, 4th overall: Marvin Powell, OL
In 2021, London caught 88 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games. He led the nation in receptions per game (11.0) and ranked second in receiving yards per game (135.5).
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Another great sports journalism piece with facts that I didn’t know about who we drafted and from what school. Michael, If we go WR at pick 10, who would you want and why?
So i love this player but hes played 8 games, 6 games, then 8 games again. I’ll look further on my own but wondering is this all injury related?
I’m not sure about 2019 ,his freshman year but 2020 was because of covid.
I don’t think it’s an issue. I really like him at 10. Good route runner, great hands, great at contested catches, and while he doesn’t have sprinters speed he did run a sub 4.5
You brought up the 40 time, and I belive Mike Evans was a shade over 4.5, so if this guy know how to use the tools he has to get open I don’t see how he gets past the Jets at 10. I was leaning Wilson but you can’t teach size.