The Los Angeles Chargers took a short-term risk in the 2024 NFL Draft in the selection of offensive tackle Joe Alt. A majority of teams viewed him as the best lineman in the draft class with the potential to become a perennial Pro Bowl selection at left tackle. However, Los Angeles had a different plan for its rookie.
Alt, a three-year starter with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, spent his entire career as the team’s left tackle. With Rashawn Slater holding down that position in Los Angeles, it meant the Chargers coaching staff would need the rookie to learn a new position in his first season.
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There are plenty of examples over the years of offensive tackles who struggled mightily in their first season at a new position. The NFL is dramatically faster than college football, with defensive linemen quicker off the snap and more powerful once they are engaged in a one-on-one block. On top of that, Alt has to deal with many of the things he’s learned over the years being flipped around at his new spot.
That’s why many NFL analysts wanted to temper their expectations for Alt entering Week 1. Drawing a matchup against All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who had the ESPN highest run-stop win rate (36 percent) and generated a career-high 94 pressures in 2023 – Alt was seemingly in for a long debut.
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Instead, Alt delivered a phenomenal rookie performance that helped pave the way to a Chargers’ victory and kept Crosby away from quarterback Justin Herbert.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah took special note of Alt’s Week 1 performance, praising the rookie for really holding his own against Crosby.
“Just watched the All-22 on Joe Alt in pass pro vs Maxx Crosby. The rookie was outstanding–hands, balance, recover ability. He showed it all vs elite rusher.”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah on Los Angeles Chargers RT Joe Alt in Week 1
Alt finished Sunday’s game with a 79 percent pass-block win rate (Seth Walder), the third-highest among rookie tackles in Week 1. Just as remarkable, per Next Gen States, Alt didn’t allow a single pressure in 11 pass-block snaps when Crosby lined up against him.
The Chargers’ first-round pick also caught the eye of ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid, who pointed out that Alt’s performance against Crosby is especially noteworthy because this was the rookie’s first full game on the right side.
Reid even further explained the specific difficulties that come with transitioning from one side of the offensive line to another, which demonstrates why Alt’s first sign is such a promising sign of what could come long term.
“OL is a much more reactionary position and you’re moving backward (pass pro) opposed to forward at WR. Not a 1:1 comp, but somewhat like learning to use a fork with your non-dominant hand. Takes time to get comfortable with the mechanics of it.”
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid on the difficult of switching sides on the offensive line
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Pro Football Focus gave Alt a 76.6 pass-blocking grade for his Week 1 performance, crediting him with just 1 pressure and 1 hurry allowed on 30 pass-blocking snaps with a 98.3 Pass Blocking Efficiency grade. Among rookie offensive linemen who played 40-plus Snaps, Alt had the fourth-highest PBE and PFF pass-blocking grade.
While no matchup in the NFL is easy, Alt won’t have to deal with an All-Pro pass rusher in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. Considering the Panthers have one of the worst NFL defenses, there’s a very good chance Alt delivers another strong performance and the Chargers improve to 2-0.
