Why NFL.com Believes OT Joe Alt Can Earn All-Rookie Honors

Joe Alt is currently prepping for his first NFL training camp, but one pundit believes big things are in store for his rookie season.

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter recently compiled his 2024 All-Rookie Team on offense and had the No. 5 overall pick slotted in one of the tackle spots.

First-year Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz decided to bolster the offensive line instead of picking a receiver in April’s first round, so look for the team to run J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and rookie Kimani Vidal (whom I considered for this list) behind Alt. The move from left tackle to the right side should not be an issue for the son of former Pro Bowl lineman John Alt, as Joe Alt’s power, football IQ and agility will allow him to succeed.

Alt originally went to Notre Dame as a tight end but transitioned to left tackle early in his college career.

The Chargers immediately shifted Alt to right tackle as Rashawn Slater stayed in his usual spot at left tackle. Trey Pipkins III, the Bolts starting right tackle the past two seasons, has shifted inside to right guard.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said earlier this month that Alt — who stands at 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds — has crushed his transition to the NFL thus far.

“He fits right in as well,” Herbert said of the 6-foot-9 Alt. “He’s just so talented and so smart, he’s done a great job of picking up the offense and asking questions.

“To have two guys like Pip and Rashawn, who have had a ton of success in this league, he’s learning as much as he can from them,” Herbert added.

Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman also praised Alt’s work ethic during the Bolts mandatory minicamp in mid-June.

“Joe’s looking really good, getting better every day. I make that statement unabashedly,” Roman said. “He’s got all the right stuff, he respects the veterans, guys that have done it before him.

“He’s got a great demeanor about him, great work ethic. He’s the kind of guy you want in the foxhole with you, I’m finding that out,” Roman added. “We expect him to take that same approach every day and keep getting better, becoming the dominant player that we know he can be.”