LA Chargers: Why Alijah Vera-Tucker might end up being the pick at 13
By Jason Reed
Who the LA Chargers select with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has been a hot debate in recent weeks. However, one name that is no longer being attached to the Chargers as prominently is USC offensive tackle, Alijah Vera-Tucker.
AVT gained a lot of steam as a potential selection for the Chargers early in the draft process but that attention has since diminished. Part of the reason being that the team needs a left tackle and AVT projects to be a guard with the other reason being the fascination that the team might trade up for Penei Sewell or see Patrick Surtain/Jaycee Horn fall to 13.
When the dust settles, though, it very well could be the player that we initially thought was going to be drafted to LA that is donning the powder blue.
Why Alijah Vera-Tucker could end up being the LA Chargers’ selection at 13:
1. He isn’t being talked about
As trivial as this is, it is worth mentioning. The LA Chargers are really good at working in silence and typically the more you hear about something the less likely it is going to happen with Tom Telesco’s front office.
Just look at the Brandon Staley hire. All signs were pointing to Brian Daboll and instead the team hired Staley, who we knew got a second interview, but was still a massive shock.
There has been speculation of the Chargers potentially looking to move up, taking Christian Darrisaw at 13 and people in the media connected to the team have sworn up and down that they are going to pick the best player available on their board. Jaylen Waddle or Kwity Paye, step right up!
Nothing on Vera-Tucker. There being no noise is the loudest possible noise that could point towards Vera-Tucker. But that is not the only reason why, there are actual football reasons as well.