Alijah Vera-Tucker will be lined up alongside a fellow first-round pick in Mekhi Becton when the 2022 season begins. At least that’s what he and the Jets hope that’s what will unfold.
Becton, a former 11th overall pick, has been the center of weight questions heading into training camp, but Vera-Tucker, New York’s 14th overall pick last year, has seen Becton at training camp, and likes what he sees.
“That puts a smile on my face, seeing my dog Mekhi,” Vera-Tucker said. “I know he was working this offseason. He was telling me about it. He looked good too, coming in. I can tell he has that mindset.
“He's ready to prove himself. He looks ready to me, so let’s get to it.”
Becton was placed on the PUP list as he continues to rehab from a knee injury that limited him to one game last season, and to try and get to a more optimal weight that the Jets would like to see for a lineman of his size, but Becton’s nutritionist raved about the shape that he is in heading into camp, and Vera-Tucker knows that if Becton is healthy and in shape, the Jets will be that much tougher at the line of scrimmage.
“That would make us look more scary Week 1, having a guy like that,” Vera-Tucker said. “Also, a guy who is good at pass protection and run blocking as well. Whenever you can add a guy like that to the offensive line, it always helps. At the end of the day. we’re all one unit, so if we’re all putting in the work, we should be good, and I feel like he’s been doing it this summer.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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