Chargers kick off Harbaugh era by taking Alt at No. 5

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Chargers started a new era by hiring Jim Harbaugh as head coach this offseason, and many expected him to bolster his offensive line to replicate his smash-mouth approach from Michigan.

Alt played left tackle at Notre Dame, but he's set to move to right tackle as Harbaugh confirmed Rashawn Slater will stay at left tackle, according to Bridget Condon of the NFL Network.

The 21-year-old follows in the footsteps of his father, John Alt, who played in the NFL from 1984-96 and was a first-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs.

While taking Alt will improve Justin Herbert's protection, passing on one of the draft's top wideouts leaves the quarterback with one of the weakest receiving groups following the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Pre-draft profile

Alt is a technician. While many offensive line prospects make their way to the league needing to clean up a thing or two, the Notre Dame standout is already an incredibly refined player. He's a fantastic athlete, demonstrating impressive movement skills in pass protection and getting to the second level in the run game. The fluidity for a player his size is absurd. Alt processes the game like a 10-year veteran, showing the ability to pass off assignments and handle stunts with ease. He tends to get caught overextending in the run game, and leverage can understandably be a challenge versus power rushers, but those are minor concerns for an otherwise outstanding prospect. Alt has the makings of a premier left tackle who could also fit on the right side if needed.