Jul 31, 2023; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) warms up during the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
With the deadline looming for teams to pick up or decline the fifth-year option on players drafted in 2021, the Jets have officially exercised Alijah Vera-Tucker’s option. GM Joe Douglas said last week that the team would be picking up the option.
Despite battling injuries over the past two seasons, Vera-Tucker’s high level play and exemplary character made it an easy call for Joe Douglas and company.
The 14th pick of the 2021 draft, Vera-Tucker played in sixteen of the team’s 17 games as a rookie but would then miss ten contests in 2022 and another twelve in 2023.
He proved his value on multiple occasions by lining up everywhere on the offensive line except for center. But even still, his durability is a concern, but one the Jets are clearly willing to overlook for the time being.