Getty New York Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker going through a drill during practice.
One of the biggest pieces to the New York Jets puzzle is set to return this summer.
Offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker tore his triceps in the Week 7 matchup versus the Denver Broncos in 2022. The former No. 14 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft revealed an updated return timeline on Wednesday, May 3.
“I’m doing good right now with recovery. Feeling great right now, making great progress, and should be ready by camp,” AVT told the media. “During these OTAs doing a lot of line drills with the guys still feels good to finally be back out there.”
GREAT NEWS: Alijah Vera-Tucker (@ALIJAHVT) revealed that he should be cleared for team reps by start of #JetsCamp + also he’s been exclusively getting reps at guard through OTAs to date 💪🏽 : 🎥 @nyjets #Jets #TakeFlight @ReignofTroy
Vera-Tucker also confirmed that he should be cleared for team reps by the time training camp rolls around in July.
Alijah Vera-Tucker Is a Pivotal Cog for Jets in 2023
The 23-year-old who will turn 24 before the start of the 2023 season seemed destined to notch a first-team All-Pro nomination and Pro Bowl nod in 2022.
AVT through the first seven games of the season only allowed one sack and recorded a single penalty.
Pro Football Focus also rewarded him with some stellar grades in those contests:
- 71.8 overall
- 61.4 pass block
- 76.5 run block
However more impressive than all of that was his ability to play musical chairs on the offensive line.
AVT was a strong pillar of consistency at left guard during his rookie season in 2021. Then during the 2022 offseason Gang Greens signed Laken Tomlinson to a $40 million contract to play LG and flipped AVT to right guard.
However, during the season a variety of injuries occurred in the trenches so AVT had to bounce wherever he was needed.
According to Pro Football Focus here is how his snaps were broken down across the offensive line:
- 70 snaps at left tackle
- 232 snaps at right guard
- 130 snaps at right tackle
Alijah Vera-Tucker Addresses Position Change Questions
AVT proved last season that he is much more than just a guard. So naturally fans and media have speculated where he could play on the line in 2023.
Vera-Tucker said it “doesn’t really matter” where he plays and reiterated that he is a “team first guy” and wherever they want him to play, he will play there.
AVT did confirm that throughout the first couple weeks of workouts, he has been getting reps exclusively at guard, not at offensive tackle.
“Anything can change, we saw that last year at the beginning of the season,” AVT explained. “I always stay on my toes but right now during OTAs and stuff like that I’ve been at guard.”
When you comb through the Jets roster they have a ton of different names across the trenches. Most of the players have some level of versatility and can play in various spots.
While AVT proved he could play offensive tackle in a pinch, the Jets would probably be best served to keep him at one singular spot.
I’ve been told by several people inside that building that they believe he has All-Pro potential at guard and if they can keep him there he will eventually realize that ceiling.