Joe Alt‘s father spent his entire career in the AFC West. The Chiefs drafted John Alt in the 1984 first round and used him as a 149-game starter, with his 13-year career lasting long enough to cover most of Marty Schottenheimer‘s tenure. Forty years after Kansas City’s investment, it is looking quite possible the younger Alt will be facing the Chiefs twice a year.
Previously mentioned as a team interested in Joe Alt, the Chargers continue to be tied to such a move. The Bolts hold the No. 5 overall pick, and they continue to be connected to moving down in Jim Harbaugh‘s first offseason in charge. The ex-Chargers quarterback has not been one to overinvest at wide receiver, and despite the team moving on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, mocking one of this draft class’ top three wideouts to Los Angeles may not reflect reality.
[RELATED: Chargers Discussing Trades For No. 5 Pick]
Alt is “Harbaugh’s guy,” one anonymous NFL exec told the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora, who adds the Bolts should be expected to draft the All-American tackle if they stay at 5. This move would amplify the Chargers’ wide receiver need exiting Round 1 while giving the team perhaps the top tackle in a stacked class at a position that is not the easiest to find in the modern game.
The run game will clearly be a higher priority for the Bolts this season, with the team hiring Greg Roman and reuniting the well-traveled OC with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. With the Chargers rostering Justin Herbert, they stand to benefit from the QB run expected to take place atop the draft board. Depending on the Cardinals, the top non-QB could be waiting at 5. It would be a risk for the Chargers, in that case, to draft Alt over Marvin Harrison Jr. But signs continue to point to it.
The Chargers brought Alt to L.A. for a visit, joining the Titans and Jets in that regard. While Alt lasting to No. 10 may not be in the cards for the Jets, the Titans have been regularly tied to making a plug-and-play pick at 7. Alt being off the board by No. 5 would lead Tennessee in another direction, though a number of other tackle options would be available to Ran Carthon‘s team if the Chargers brought Alt to California.
A two-time first-team All-American, the 6-foot-8 Alt played left tackle for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame LTs have been coveted prospects and moved to other spots in the pros. Zack Martin operated as a left tackle for the Division I-FBS independent; so did Mike McGlinchey. Though, the latter had regular RT experience in college. Alt would presumably be kicked to right tackle with the Chargers, as Rashawn Slater has been the Bolts’ LT since being a 2021 first-round pick. Slater earned second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie, and the Chargers will almost definitely pick up his fifth-year option before the May 2 deadline.
An Alt investment would stand to displace Trey Pipkins, the Bolts’ RT regular for the past two seasons. Pro Football Focus ranked Pipkins 64th among tackles in 2022 and 50th last year. During Tom Telesco‘s final offseason as GM, the Bolts re-signed Pipkins to a three-year, $21.75MM deal ($13.25MM guaranteed at signing). An Alt selection would also be the Bolts’ third O-line first-round pick in four years. The team has 2022 first-round guard Zion Johnson going into Year 3.
Now it’s getting ridiculous, if they trade down sure. Still think they need a center or tackle.
Wow…you think?
Hey Adam…do you talk with Adam LaRose who works at your site because at 8:48 AM today, he wrote an entire article about the Chargers trading out of the 5 spot…..now less than 6 hours later you write they’re wired into Alt………
Both can exist at the same time you know. And it’ll probably be that way until chargers are on the clock and we see which QBs are available.
Chargers can both be interested in trading out of #5 and be interested in players at #5 simultaneously.
If chargers find a trade acceptable they’ll take it. But if say someone jumps them and trades with ARZ then Chargers aren’t in a position to trade back as easily since whichever ever QB needy team jumped them (yes a QB needy team could jump ahead of chargers who may have a deal in place with another QB needy team if said player falls to 5).
If they feel the offers are low or arent sufficient they’ll stay put and take either Nabers Bowers Alt.
This isn’t anything new, prior to the combine most mock drafts had Alt going to LAC. Blue chip player who can start day 1.
WR is a need but Alt would open up the run game and help protect Herbert for the next 8 years or more. LAC can draft WR Roman Wilson in the 2nd round and go from there.
Personally I like Nabers to LAC but who knows what they will do on draft night.
I personally feel like RT is a waste of Alt when you can trade down, accumulate more picks, and draft a RT later.
Chargers are getting out of cap hell and could use some cheap rookie contracts at C, RT, and WR. Draft is deep at T and WR so definitely need to walk away with those two positions but being able to get a C to replace Lindsey and add more WR depth early in the draft wouldnt be the worst thing in the world.
Alt or say Guyton RT, Barton C, McConkey WR, Wilson WR (assuming they double trade back and have 2 1sts in the 20s and 2 2nds.