Sep 9, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tackle Joe Alt (76) during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive tackles can't get drafted in fantasy football and don't sell as many jerseys, which may be why Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt is viewed in a group below the truly elite skill position players in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, he has all the makings of an elite offensive line prospect, and shouldn't be written off as a likely top-five pick just because he doesn't catch or throw touchdowns.
Joe Alt scouting report
College: Notre Dame
Age: 20 (turns 21 on February 28)
Height: 6'8
Weight: 322
Awards: Unanimous All-American (2023), First-Team All-American (2022)
Alt is the son of former Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tackle John Alt, who played in the NFL from 1984-1996. Joe was a tight end in high school, but was recruited by Notre Dame as a tackle. 247 Sports had Alt ranked as the 20th tackle and 180th overall player in the class of 2021 coming out of Totino-Grace High School in Minnesota.
The move from tight end to tackle couldn't have gone smoother for Alt. He began his true freshman season playing a handful of snaps over the first few games as a tackle-eligible tight end, but was named the starting left tackle for the Fighting Irish by Week 6. He never game the job up, starting every game at left tackle over the next two years for Notre Dame until opting out of their bowl game this year after declaring early for the Draft. In both seasons as a full-time starter, Alt was named an All-American (he couldn't be named all-conference, with Notre Dame playing as an independent).
For more player breakdowns, scouting reports, and all things 2024 NFL Draft, check out the 98.5 The Sports Hub Draft Hub page.
Stats
| Year | School | Class | G | GS | Pressures | Sacks | Penalties (accepted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Notre Dame | FR | 13 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 1(0) |
| 2022 | Notre Dame | SO | 13 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 1(0) |
| 2023 | Notre Dame | JR | 12 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 2(0) |
| Career | 38 | 33 | 24 | 4 | 4(0) |
Strengths
--Already has the size and power of a starting NFL lineman at just 20 years old
--Outstanding balance and flexibility, especially for a player his size
--Can move to the outside and meet speed rushers on the edge before they turn the corner
--Good understanding of defensive rush concepts allows him to react quickly and correctly to pass rush combos
--Plays a very clean game, penalized just four times in 2,214 career college snaps (none were accepted)
--Has the right amount of 'nasty' in his game. Always shows a high motor, maintains and finishes blocks with physicality
Weaknesses:
--Certainly athletic enough to play the position in the NFL, but is not an elite athlete for the left tackle position
--Doesn't always use his reach to his advantage, and will let rushers within his wingspan
--Needs to improve in space when pulling
--Will have trouble with smaller or more flexible linemen who can get underneath him at his height
Video breakdown
Player comparisons
Ceiling: Joe Thomas
Middle: Joe Staley
Floor: Taylor Decker
Bottom line
Alt already looks the part of a starting NFL tackle, both physically and mechanically. Whichever team takes him should expect to have the blindside protector role taken care of for the next decade-plus. It's really just a matter of will Alt be just a solid starter, Pro Bowler, or All-Pro?
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
