2021 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys fix defense, Justin Fields slides to Broncos
By Randy Gurzi
IOL. USC. 14. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 60. Alijah Vera-Tucker. player
14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC
Could the Minnesota Vikings make a splash and trade up for a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft? There are some who have asked that question and with the way they struggled on offense last season, there’s reason to believe they could be looking for an eventual replacement for veteran Kirk Cousins. However, this draft doesn’t feel like the right time to make such a drastic move.
Cousins is still able to get it done when he has time in the pocket, which has been a bit of an issue for him in recent years. Minnesota tries to fix that here with the addition of Alijah Vera-Tucker with the No. 14 pick overall. The USC offensive lineman is much like the aforementioned Rashawn Slater in that he played left tackle in college but could be moved around the line.
Minnesota could decide to play him at guard where he would certainly succeed. However, they could also try him out at left tackle where they recently released Reily Reiff — who was unable to prove to be the answer on the blindside for them. Minnesota has several holes on the offensive line, but Vera-Tucker could surely help them get that figured out.