NEW YORK, NY– The offensive line has been a weak spot for the New York Giants for over a decade now. There are a few building blocks in the trenches alongside Andrew Thomas, and priority is shifting towards protecting Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, or whoever lines up under center this season.
This is where Alijah Vera-Tucker comes into play. The former first-round pick is currently in a stalemate with Jets brass in contract talks, and his future with Gang Green is now coming into question. This provides Joe Schoen and the Giants an opportunity to make a bold call.
Heavy on Giants writer Michael Obermuller suggested Big Blue take a swing at AVT despite their limited cap space.
The Giants' current guard tandem of Jon Runyan Jr. and Greg Van Roten doesn’t inspire much confidence. Runyan earned a 56.1 PFF grade in his first season in blue, Van Roten is 35, and the pair are being backed up by former top 10 pick Evan Neal, who is looking to revive his career with a move to guard.
Marcus Mbow and Aaron Stinnie could become solid depth pieces, but a player like Vera-Tucker would glaringly improve the biggest hole on the roster and provide help alongside Thomas.
They have already been linked to Kyle Pitts and Chris Olave this offseason, but the acquisition of Vera-Tucker is a bit more sensible. It would also continue a pattern of aggressive offseason moves from Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen — both of whom remain under pressure to deliver results.
Alijah Vera-Tucker would provide the Giants flexibility on the line
The 26-year-old can play guard or tackle and has shown glimpses of superstardom since being drafted in 2021. He’s athletic, smart, and battle-tested, with the kind of motor and toughness the Giants’ front office has coveted on the front lines since Schoen’s arrival.
While he would certainly provide the G-Men some stability on the line, the big concern is the USC product’s health. Vera-Tucker has never played a full season in his NFL career, and has missed 24 games across the last three seasons due to a torn Achilles and a torn triceps.
Additionally, acquiring him would likely cost the Giants a second-round draft pick — a premium asset for a team still in the midst of a rebuild. Vera-Tucker is also entering the final year of his rookie deal, which carries a hefty $15.313 million cap hit, and will be looking for a sizable extension. However, the Giants may not be in a position to hand out such an extension.
It’s worth noting that the Jets and Giants have only made one trade in their history: when the Jets sent Leonard Williams to Big Blue at the 2019 NFL Trade Deadline. But if Vera-Tucker’s situation continues to sour, history could repeat itself.
One New York team is ushering in a new era, while the other is fighting to extend theirs. If Vera-Tucker’s situation in Florham Park keeps trending downward, a rare cross-town trade could offer both franchises exactly what they need.
