NFL Draft: NY Giants Trade Down Targets in Round 1

Alijah Vera-Tucker: Offensive Lineman, USC

If the Giants want to find a plug-and-play lineman in round one, they may need to see how the board looks.

It’s very possible that both Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater are both off the board before the Giants pick at #11. If so, there is no true lineman worth taking at #11 but there are plenty of other intriguing options that would marry value and need later in Round 1.

Alijah Vera-Tucker may make sense as the Giants have major question marks at guard. Vera-Tucker won the Morris Trophy for the Conference’s Most Dominant Offensive Lineman as he also earned 1st team All-Pac 12 honors this season after winning 2nd Team All-Pac 12 in 2019.

Vera-Tucker has the versatility and experience that the Giants will love and expect from their first-round draft choice. The Giants could very possibly start Vera-Tucker at either guard spot or right tackle in an open competition.

There has been a lot of buzz lately that Vera-Tucker is viewed as one of the safer picks in the 1st Round of the 2021 draft. The Giants could certainly use a safe pick in the 1st round after striking out on far too many 1st rounders in recent years. Alijah Vera-Tucker would immediately be one of the team’s five best options on the offensive line and would help Daniel Jones sleep much better at night.