Tag: Joe Alt Chargers

Instant analysis of the Chargers’ selection of Notre Dame OT Joe Alt at No. 5 overall

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the 5th overall pick, adding offensive line help at right tackle.

Turns out that last-minute scramble over the JC Latham tea leaves was all for naught.

Los Angeles stuck with their guns on Thursday, making Notre Dame’s Joe Alt the first tackle off the board after months of speculation that they’d select him with their first round selection. Alt will flip to the right side for the Chargers, a move he’s been preparing to make in the lead-up to the draft, likely for this very scenario.

An NFL legacy – his father John played 13 seasons for the Chiefs in the 80s and 90s – Alt’s athleticism as a former quarterback and tight end will be the calling cards for easing his transition to the right side. He said at the NFL Combine that his experience at tight end especially should help him, considering he has some familiarity with putting his hand in the dirt from that side of the formation.

An agile, finesse tackle with high-end recovery ability, Alt generates push in the run game in a different way than what was perhaps expected from a Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz draft selection. But his smoothness as a pass protector will quickly plaster over any potential concerns that he’s not a true mauler in the run game. Notre Dame ran a balanced offense while Alt was there, and he was a key reason why running back Audric Estime had such a productive season in 2023.

This pick likely forces Trey Pipkins, set to count $8.75 million against the salary cap, to the bench. Pipkins’ contract does not allow for cap savings in a trade until after June 1. Despite having two seasons left on his deal, the Chargers could also easily escape the contract following the 2024 season, saving $6.75 million against the 2025 cap if they were to release Pipkins.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers pick OT Joe Alt with No. 5 overall selection

The Chargers bolstered the offensive line with the selection of Joe Alt.

The Chargers selected former Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Jim Harbaugh talked about instilling a physical and rugged identity into the team and improving the run game, so his first pick as Los Angeles’ head coach was beefing up the offensive line with Alt.

Alt was a staple up front for the Fighting Irish over the past three seasons. He was a starter during his freshman year in 2021 and held that role throughout his college career.

A consensus All-American in 2023, Alt only allowed four sacks throughout his career and was the highest-graded offensive lineman in the country this past season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Despite playing left tackle throughout his college career, Alt projects to take over Trey Pipkins as the Bolts’ starting right tackle.

2024 NFL draft: OT Joe Alt confirms meeting with Chargers

A potential selection for the Chargers has met with team officials.

A potential selection for the Chargers has met with team officials.

Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt spoke to the media at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday. When asked if he had met with LA, he confirmed that he had a formal meeting with the Chargers. Alt also confirmed meetings with the Titans, Bears, and Raiders, among others.

Asked about his impressions of new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, Alt said:

I did meet with the Chargers. It was a great interview, got to meet coach Harbaugh. It was a good time. For me, it was always ‘I didn’t get recruited by Michigan,’ but getting to meet him on that level was very cool. He’s a great guy, it was a really fun interview.

Alt, who was mocked to the Chargers at No. 5 overall in Daniel Jeremiah’s most recent mock draft on NFL.com, would likely play right tackle for Los Angeles after spending his collegiate career on the left side. Chargers Wire asked him if that switch was something that had come up in interviews with teams and if he had begun preparing:

It definitely has come up. I’ve been preparing for it at the combine. I also played tight end in high school, so I’ve been able to put my hand on both sides of the ball. I did some tackle over this season and then working in the combine training.

The Chargers have been heavily rumored to be considering an offensive tackle in the first round following a disappointing season from right tackle Trey Pipkins, who has two seasons remaining on his contract. But with Alt confirming that he’s been asked about moving to that side, it seems less likely that LA’s consideration of the position would include moving former All-Pro Rashawn Slater to the right, despite his experience on that side from Northwestern.

Alt and the rest of the offensive linemen take the field for testing on Sunday on NFL Network.