NEW YORK (AP) — The Novel York Jets signed rookie guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, the 14th overall pick in the NFL draft in April, to a four-year, $15.9 million contract Tuesday.
Vera-Tucker’s deal contains a signing bonus of $8.9 million, according to the NFL’s rookie wage scale, and the Jets have a fifth-year chance.
The signing leaves two of the Jets’ drafted players unsigned: first-round quarterback Zach Wilson and 2d-round wide receiver Elijah Moore. Novel York’s rookies reported to the team’s facility in Florham Park, Novel Jersey, on Tuesday ahead of the opening of working towards camp subsequent week.
Vera-Tucker is anticipated to be the Jets’ starting left guard this season subsequent to left kind out Mekhi Becton, Novel York’s first-round different final year. The worn USC large title performed all alongside the offensive line for the Trojans for the duration of his college profession, including at left guard, left kind out and accurate kind out.
That versatility put Vera-Tucker excessive on the Jets’ draft board, and customary manager Joe Douglas jumped on the different to alternate up from No. 23 to web an offensive lineman who ought to collected help protect the No. 2 overall pick in Wilson.
“Every field he’s been in a location to take a look at, he’s performed to this level,” offensive line coach John Benton acknowledged final month for the duration of minicamp. “He really dedicated himself to learning the plot. Athletically, he’s everything we conception he would be.”
Vera-Tucker will almost definitely be one in every of three fresh starters on a revamped offensive line, with maybe most efficient Becton and heart Connor McGovern returning to the spots in which they began final season. Alex Lewis, final year’s starter at left guard, is anticipated to compete with incumbent Greg Van Roten at accurate guard together with Cameron Clark, Dan Feeney and Conor McDermott. The Jets signed worn Washington accurate kind out Morgan Moses final month, likely pushing George Fant, final year’s starter, into a swing characteristic.
“He looks to match accurate in with the guys who’ve performed reasonably loads,” Benton acknowledged of Vera-Tucker. “He’ll positively be in the running (for a foundation) supplied he passes the physical exams as soon as we’re in a location to put pads on and whatnot. But all indications are very appropriate.”
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Jets sign 14th overall pick Vera-Tucker to rookie deal
