Los Angeles Chargers Rookie Poised to DOMINATE the 2024 All-Rookie Team

Offensive tackles aren’t often thought of as the most attention-capturing players on an NFL roster, but Los Angeles Chargers first-rounder, Joe Alt is already turning heads. But, NFL.com’s draft analyst, Chad Reuter , named him one of 11 rookies who will make the biggest instant impact this year at his position.

Joe Alt was drafted 5th overall in this year’s draft out of Notre Dame. He was the consensus #1 offensive tackle in the draft class. He was Pro Football Focus’ graded him 3rd best pass blocker and 2nd best run blocker. He allowed just five quarterback pressures and one sack in 368 passing snaps. The Fight Irish lead rusher, Audric Estime rushed for 7.4 yards per carry when running behind Alt’s blocking, a full yard better than his season average.

All of these feats were done when he was playing left tackle, but the Chargers have expressed that he will make the jump from the left side to right tackle, for the first time in his career. Jordan Mailata once compared making that switch to cleaning your behind with your non-dominant hand. “It’s not going to be clean, but it gets the job done.”

Los Angeles Chargers Offensive Lineman 2024 All-Rookie Team

Here is what Reuter wrote about the 6-foot-8, 322-pounder;

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.

The Chargers will likely move toward a more run-heavy offense under Harbaugh and Greg Roman. In addition, Harbaugh also values the offensive line more than most head coaches in the league, which will translate to a great deal of support for the players that make up the starting five.

If the Chargers can get this cobbled-together group of running backs to a high-functioning rushing attack and return Justin Herbert to a top-5-producing quarterback, it will be because of the offensive line that is now made up of three first-round draft picks.

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