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Joe Alt is widely regarded as the top offensive tackle prospect and a leading candidate in the 2024 NFL Draft. His impressive skills on the field position him as a key player for teams looking to bolster their offensive line.
Alt possesses an outstanding physical presence characterized by his impressive length, size, and athleticism. As a premier offensive lineman emerging from Notre Dame, he showcases exceptional technical skills. However, the question remains: is Alt truly the plug-and-play blue-chip prospect that many expect him to be?
Moreover, could Joe Alt become a strategic selection for the Giants as they aim to enhance their offensive line with another high-draft pick? His addition could significantly impact their performance in the upcoming season.
Prospect: Joe Alt (76)
Games Watched: vs. NC State (2023), vs. Ohio State (2023), vs. USC (2023), vs. Clemson (2023)
Key Measurements and Physical Attributes
Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS.football
Key Strengths of Joe Alt as a Prospect
- Exceptional Athleticism
- Impressive Length and Reach
- Advanced Technical Skills
- Durability and Competitive Spirit
Joe Alt possesses an extraordinary and rare combination of size, length, and athleticism that sets him apart from other offensive tackle prospects. Standing at an impressive height of 6 feet, 8 ⅝ inches and weighing 321 pounds, his long arms measuring 34 ½ inches contribute to his powerful presence on the field. Furthermore, his remarkable lower body fluidity helps mitigate some of the drawbacks that can come with such impressive measurements, allowing him to excel in various situations.
As a natural knee bender, Alt effectively drops his hips, maintaining leverage throughout plays. His lower body endurance is noteworthy, as it enables him to stay in his stance without allowing his pads to rise for extended periods. Additionally, Alt showcases excellent footwork, which surpasses what is typically expected from a player of his size.
His quick and agile feet allow him to glide over the field effortlessly during kick-slides. Alt is an agile mover, capable of expanding the pocket and adept at redirecting himself to counter inside movements or delayed pressure through the B-gap. He effectively handles speed rushes from the edge while ensuring he remains positioned between the rusher and his quarterback. Alt plays with a wide base, skillfully using his footwork to distribute power when immediate anchoring is not possible.
Moreover, Alt exhibits exceptional hand technique, consistently keeping his hands high and tight before engaging with defenders. His ability to deliver a powerful punch to opponents’ chest plates, create extension, and employ his hands to control defenders showcases his technical prowess.
In addition to his pass protection skills, Alt is also a versatile and effective run blocker. Although some may perceive him as less aggressive due to a lack of heavy-handedness, he exhibits a noticeable mean streak when blocking in the run game. Alt is capable of generating movement when blocking downhill and relishes the opportunity to take on defenders at the second level. His understanding of angles is commendable, allowing him to successfully seal defenders off from the play once engaged.
Interestingly, Alt has occasionally been utilized on the right side during unbalanced formations, primarily for running plays, indicating his potential adaptability to shift to right tackle if necessary.
Identifying Areas for Improvement in Joe Alt’s Game
While height and length are generally advantageous traits for offensive tackles, Alt’s impressive stature may present some challenges.
Standing nearly 6-foot-9, Alt is noticeably high-cut, particularly when playing from a 3-point stance. His hips are visibly higher than those of his peers, which can lead to discomfort when transitioning out of this position. Instead of explosively launching into his pass set or engaging with defenders as a run blocker, Alt often finds himself needing to hinge into a more upright stance, reminiscent of a stiff-legged deadlift or good morning exercise. This can slow down his reaction time and introduce unnecessary movements into his otherwise efficient technique.
Even minor losses in knee bend can significantly impact his leverage. To put it another way, Alt must lower his hips by about three inches just to reach the baseline standing height of a typical offensive tackle. He needs to bend even further to lower his center of mass to match that of a 6-foot-5 tackle during an ideal pass set.
This challenge can also lead to instances where Alt allows his chest to extend too far beyond his toes. While he remains balanced and in control, this positioning is less than ideal and can make him vulnerable to defensive players. There are moments when defenders utilize push-pull techniques or well-executed arm-over moves, resulting in Alt ending up on the ground.
Alt’s tendency to lean forward may also explain why he does not deliver a more assertive punch. A stronger punch could expose him or push him further forward if not executed properly.
Video Analysis of Joe Alt’s Performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIqMZv3GX2Q[/embed>
(Note: Alt is wearing jersey number 76 for Notre Dame)
Future Projections for Joe Alt in the NFL
Joe Alt is projected to become a starting offensive tackle at the NFL level. He is expected to make an immediate impact as a rookie, showcasing a remarkably high ceiling for growth.
With his natural knee-bending abilities, Alt moves with a grace reminiscent of an NBA center rather than a traditional offensive tackle. He plays with significant physicality when engaging with defenders and excels as a run blocker while being a reliable pass protector. His skill set suggests he will be capable of executing any game plan required in the NFL.
That said, Alt’s height might pose both advantages and disadvantages in the professional league.
More powerful, agile, and technically refined defenders in the NFL may exploit Alt’s height and leverage issues, particularly early in his career. He may benefit from joining an offense that emphasizes a quick passing game to minimize the time he spends in vulnerable positions. His future team might need to adjust their play style to accommodate his leverage challenges, similar to how the New England Patriots adapted their offensive strategies when Nate Solder was their left tackle.
Could He Be a Fit for the Giants?
Possibly, provided they feel confident in his ability to transition to right tackle.
Final Thoughts: A promising early-round draft selection
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