NY Jets 2022 Ring of Honor class can inspire hope for 3 young Jets

Nick Mangold can inspire Alijah Vera-Tucker to be an anchor of the NY Jets interior offensive line

Nick Mangold was a staple of the interior offensive line for 10 years. No matter how many guards rotated in and out throughout his tenure, Mangold's consistency kept things afloat a typically highly ranked offensive line.

Whether it was Chad Pennington, Brett Favre, Mark Sanchez, or other Jets quarterbacks that lined up behind Mangold, having an All-Pro center was one thing that signal-callers didn't have to worry about.

The hope is that with consistent offensive line play, anchored by someone such as Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Jets won't have a revolving door at the quarterback position the way Mangold had.

Last year's first-round draft pick Vera-Tucker was sought after by general manager Joe Douglas, so much so that he moved up in the first round to land his target.

The infatuation with Vera-Tucker had a lot to do with the goal of stabilizing the middle of the offensive line in a similar fashion to what Mangold provided.

Granted they do not play the exact same position. Still, the importance of having consistent high-level play from both centers and guards can not be understated.

Prior to Vera-Tucker's arrival, Jets fans were witnesses to what happens without answers at any of the spots on the interior of the offensive line.

The second-year guard out of USC has already impressed and his positional flexibility will come in handy as he will be moving to right guard with the addition of free-agent Laken Tomlinson.

Whether it is at left or right guard throughout his career with the Jets, if Vera-Tucker can maintain dominant play anywhere close to the length that Mangold did, his name will be added to a list of great interior offensive lineman for the franchise.