The LA Chargers selected Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and the reaction from the fanbase was split. While some bought into Alt's tremendous ceiling as a franchise tackle, others pointed at the need at wide receiver and the missed opportunity with Malik Nabers.
Nabers has been nothing short of excellent during New York Giants training camp, putting more pressure on Alt to succeed to justify the Chargers' selection. If Nabers turns into a franchise receiver, anything short of Alt being an All-Pro will be considered a disappointment.
It is going to take a long time for Chargers fans to have a comprehensive answer on whether or not it was the right move to draft Alt. However, the early returns have been very promising as Alt has been everything that was advertised coming into the league.
While Alt did have some typical rookie mistake penalties in the Chargers' second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, he also turned in an elite showing that showcased his immensely high ceiling.
#Chargers rookie Joe Alt did not allow any pressures on 17 pass blocking snaps against the Rams yesterday. He’s carrying a 98.2 pass blocking efficiency rating on 30 pass blocking snaps in the preseason thus far. pic.twitter.com/CHiX8S1CLr
— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) August 18, 2024
Joe Alt is looking like the real deal for the Chargers
Yes, it is just the preseason, but it is still remarkable to come into NFL action and not allow a single pressure in 17 pass-blocking snaps. This is coupled with Alt's solid showing in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, where the story was more of the same.
Alt is going to be tested much more in the regular season than he is in the preseason. He is not lining up against the likes of Maxx Crosby or T.J. Watt (two guys he will face in his first three career games) in the preseason. There will naturally be a massive difference in those reps but Alt is proving he can hold his own.
Is he going to be perfect? No! Is he going to let up pressures and sacks in his rookie season? Absolutely! But oftentimes with tackle prospects fans know right away if they have an elite ceiling or not. Alt is showing all the signs of having that elite ceiling.
That is what happens when you mix an elite tackle prospect with a great coaching staff and a great edge-rusher room for Alt to compete with every single day in practice. Alt has to go up against the likes of Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree in practice every single day. If that doesn't prepare someone for NFL speed, nothing will.
Thankfully, Alt is passing all of the early tests with flying colors, making it more and more obvious why the Chargers liked him enough in the draft to take him over Nabers.