There was plenty of dynamic-duo talk at One Jets Drive last summer after Gang Green drafted Alijah Vera-Tucker.
The first-round pick was slated to line up next to Mekhi Becton on the left side of the offensive line. If Vera-Tucker came along quickly, that half of New York’s protection would have been as solid as any guard-tackle combo in the NFL.
Vera-Tucker did progress quickly, but he and Becton played just three quarters together before Becton suffered a season-ending knee injury. It remains to be seen how Becton will fare when he gets back onto the field — and which side of the offensive line he’ll play — but there is still a chance for Vera-Tucker to be part of a potentially elite duo if the dominoes fall in a certain direction in the 2022 NFL draft.
N.C. State’s Ikem Ekwonu has established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in this year’s draft class. He was an All-ACC performer at guard and tackle during his career in Raleigh, and his versatility is one of his strongest attributes. The Jets have a gaping hole at right guard, and Ekwonu could be the offensive lineman Joe Douglas pegs to fill it.
“If Ekwonu went to the Jets, year one would be playing guard and I think him and Vera-Tucker would be the best young guard duo in the NFL,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently said, per the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy. “This dude is so powerful and so strong and he would have no issues kicking inside.”
There is a path for Ekwonu to land in New York. Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal is the consensus top offensive lineman in this year’s draft, and he’s likely to go to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1. The Lions and Texans could take an offensive lineman before the Jets are on the clock at No. 4.
If Douglas wants to address the offensive line and get a plug-and-play starter, Ekwonu will likely be the pick if he’s on the board. Mississippi State’s Charles Cross carries some intrigue, and Douglas is known to like high-ceiling offensive linemen — look no further than Becton — but Ekwonu is the safer and, frankly, better pick.
The Jets could address the interior offensive line in free agency. Douglas could also decide to address the defensive side of the ball with the No. 4 overall pick, which would likely put New York out of play for Ekwonu when they are on the clock again at No. 10.
Until then, the dream of Vera-Tucker and Ekwonu teaming up to be Gang Green’s dominant guard duo of the future lives on.
