2021 NFL Mock Draft, post-free agency: Browns land Micah Parsons, Falcons shock with Kyle Pitts
By Randy Gurzi
IOL. USC. 16. player. Scouting Report. 32. Pick Analysis. Alijah Vera-Tucker
At No. 16, the Arizona Cardinals elect to improve their offensive line with the selection of USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker. An offensive tackle for the Trojans, Vera-Tucker is expected to move inside at the next level but it seems to be a universal opinion that he will excel in this role.
One thing that many point to is the potential he has, which is echoed by Dan Schmelzer of NFL Mocks who says Vera-Tucker has “special upside.” What Schmelzer likes most about Vera-Tucker is his athleticism and ability to get out into space and make plays in the ground game as well as on screen plays.
"“When digging into Vera-Tucker’s game, the first thing that stands out is his ability to move. Vera-Tucker fires off of the ball quickly and moves extremely well in space. He is a balanced and smooth athlete who reaches the second level with ease and can be used as a weapon in the screen game.” — Schmelzer, NFL Mocks"
Arizona made some strides last season in Kliff Kingsbury’s second year as the head coach. There was a point where they looked to be one of the better teams in the NFC but a slow finish doomed them.
Adding Vera-Tucker could help since it will not only improve their running game but he will also be able to give Kyler Murray more time in the pocket ‚— something he could have used in 2020.