5 Alijah Vera-Tucker replacements Jets can add in 2026 NFL Draft

New York Jets fans having to watch former first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker depart in free agency was bad enough, but seeing him go to the New England Patriots on a three-year contract is just about the worst-case scenario that this fanbase was dreading.

Even though Vera-Tucker has suffered a serious, season-ending injury in three of the last four campaigns, watching him go to New England of all places has to be a major kick in the groin. The Jets did end up adding guard Dylan Parham in free agency, but his contract makes clear that he's a short-term band-aid, and not the staple that they hoped Vera-Tucker was.

These five players, all of whom could be within striking distance due to the Jets' four selections in the first 50 picks of the Draft, could come to New York and immediately give them a floor at the position they lost when both Vera-Tucker and John Simpson left in free agency.

5 guards Jets can add in NFL Draft to replace Alijah Vera-Tucker

5. Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

Rutledge's stock has soared since the Senior Bowl, as his dominant performance, paired with some tremendous run-blocking reps as a Yellow Jacket, has all but locked him in as a Top 100 selection. Picking him at No. 44 might be a bit of a reach, so perhaps a trade down may be in order.

4. Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

Bisontis may not make it to the third round, as his smooth blend of pass protection and experience on the line might make him more equipped to start as a rookie than some of the other players in this range. He could stand to add some muscle.

3. Gennings Dunker, Iowa

Dunker is a tackle who would need to kick inside to guard at the next level, but with his run blocking standing out as one of the two or three best among all linemen in this class, a run-first team like the Jets could be an appealing landing spot.

2. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

Ignoring his worst moment of the season when he and the rest of his offensive line were blasted by Indiana, Pregnon is a smooth operator with solid technique and mobility in the open field. Pregnon could be a target at both No. 33 and No. 44.

1. Vega Ioane, Penn State

Ioane would only be a target if he made it to No. 16 overall. However, if the Jets address wide receiver before that pick, Ioane profiles as someone who could start on this team for most of the next decade alongside former Nittany Lion teammate Olu Fashanu.