Las Vegas Raiders go defense early in 7-round 2021 mock draft
By Alex Perl
player. 808. . Offensive Guard. Trojans . Alijah Vera-Tucker. 79
Las Vegas Raiders go defense early in 7-round 2021 mock draft
The Raiders moved up in the 2020 NFL Draft to take guard John Simpson out of Clemson, a consensus All-American and captain for the Tigers. With Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson as the starters, Simpson will take a backseat as a rookie, but he should inherit one of the starting jobs sooner than later.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Raiders could select his running mate, drafting Alijah Vera-Tucker out of USC. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound guard is very versatile, and despite the fact he is a guard, can line up at tackle as well if needed.
The versatility and strength of Tucker will be welcoming in Vegas, as Incognito will be entering his final season of his two-year deal, and the team may have already moved on from Gabe Jackson at that point. He has the kind of ability that will enable him to be a Day 1 starter in the NFL, and with he and Simpson as the guards, the Raiders would be set at the position group for the foreseeable future.