NFL mock draft 2021: Justin Fields, Trey Lance help make history
By Evan Bachman
IOL. Alijah Vera-Tucker. 14. Scouting Report. USC. player. 60. Pick Analysis
The Vikings have a pretty big need at offensive line and with a lot of talented o-line prospects projected to come off the board right around their pick, I think it’s pretty likely that’s the direction they go.
Alijah Vera-Tucker played tackle last year at USC and he could play tackle in the NFL as well, but I along with a lot of others think he projects very well as a guard in the NFL. Either way having the versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line is valuable.
He has a good combination of agility to stay with speedy and quick pass rushers and power to move defenders in the run game.
As a run blocker, he not only can move defenders at the line of scrimmage, but he’s athletic enough to get out to the next level and make blocks in space. At USC, he wasn’t dominant in that area, but he certainly has the traits to be a good blocker at the next level.
In 2019, Vera-Tucker played guard for the Trojans and was very consistent as a pass protector, only allowing one sack and seven pressures all season, according to PFF. This high-level play in a power five conference makes me confident he can translate to the NFL.