Alijah Vera-Tucker could move to tackle to solve Jets’ offensive line problem

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The largest present query for the 2023 Jets is who will play offensive sort out.

Might the reply be residing elsewhere on the road? 

Head coach Robert Saleh left open the likelihood the Jets might transfer proper guard Alijah Vera-Tucker to sort out if that may create the most effective beginning mixture. 

“We’re going to play our greatest 5, and if that’s how considered one of them shake up, that’s one thing we’re going to have to speak about,” Saleh stated. 

Vera-Tucker has labored completely at proper guard throughout coaching camp, however he did make one begin at left sort out final 12 months and three at proper sort out earlier than he suffered a torn triceps that ended his season.

He performed properly at sort out earlier than the harm, demonstrating his versatility. 

The Jets love Vera-Tucker at guard, however their struggles at sort out could necessitate contemplating a place change once more.

Duane Brown remains to be on the bodily unable to carry out checklist.

When he returns, he’s anticipated to be the beginning left sort out. 

Billy Turner and Max Mitchell have been competing for the beginning proper sort out spot in camp, but both have been underwhelming.

Mekhi Becton may need the best ceiling of all of the tackles, however he has nonetheless been slotting behind Turner and Mitchell as he works his means again to full energy after he had proper knee surgical procedure final 12 months. 

The offensive line acquired beat up by the Panthers’ defensive entrance on Wednesday.

Mitchell, specifically, had a tough day.

That led to questions on Thursday about Vera-Tucker transferring outdoors. 

“AVT is a really particular soccer participant,” Saleh stated. “You guys know the way we really feel about AVT, and what he did a 12 months in the past is unprecedented in soccer, so we’ve acquired full confidence.

“Like I’ve stated, we need to maintain him at guard as finest we are able to, as a result of we expect he’s an All-Professional guard, would nonetheless be an unbelievable sort out, most likely a Professional Bowl sort out, however we all know that we are going to be his best possible on the within, however his versatility is clearly very useful.” 

The one means the Jets would transfer Vera-Tucker to sort out is that if they really feel that his alternative at proper guard is healthier than the options at sort out.

Final season, the Jets felt good about Nate Herbig after they moved Vera-Tucker.

Herbig is now with the Steelers, so this 12 months, Wes Schweitzer is probably the most logical candidate to start out at proper guard if Vera-Tucker have been to maneuver outdoors. 

Vera-Tucker, in his third 12 months out of USC, stated he’s prepared to play wherever wanted. 

“You all know me,” Vera-Tucker stated. “I’ve stated it loads of instances earlier than. I’m going to play wherever the staff wants me to play, wherever they suppose I match finest on this offensive line. So, whether or not that’s guard or sort out, it actually don’t matter to me.

“I’m going to go on the market and do my factor to the fullest. Proper now, the whole lot’s fairly set, however like final 12 months, issues can change in a heartbeat.” 

Vera-Tucker stated he has been targeted on proper guard throughout coaching camp, however stated he does work within the offseason at each sort out and guard positions to get his footwork proper for every spot.

Final 12 months, he labored for just a few weeks at sort out in observe earlier than he was a shock starter in Week 4 at Pittsburgh. Vera-Tucker stated some advance discover of a place change could be useful. 

“It will assist to have time,” Vera-Tucker stated. “I’m fairly positive anyone would recognize the time, but when one thing goes dangerous goes down — knock on wooden that nothing occurs — I might go on the market and carry out at a excessive degree.” 

The offensive line had a greater day Thursday, but it surely was a observe with out pads and towards their very own protection once more.

Saleh stated the Jets nonetheless have time for the road to click on. 

“My optimistic aspect will say now we have time,” Saleh stated. “Duane is coming again, there’s nonetheless a variety of items, we’ve acquired some playing cards in our again pocket that we are able to use, however as a coach, you need it executed yesterday.

“We wish these guys rolling, we would like confidence, we need to begin buzzing, however I additionally perceive all of the completely different transferring elements and verbiage and new scheme.”