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Bill Belichick calls Joe Alt a 'premier left tackle candidate'

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•04/30/24•

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Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Joe Alt, Notre Dame - © John Mersits / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Los Angeles Chargers used the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt. He was the first lineman off the board and one who there are going to be massive expectations for in the NFL.

If a player can live up to those expectations, it’s going to be Joe Alt. Even legendary head coach Bill Belichick thinks he could be a premier left tackle candidate, as he explained during coverage of the draft on The Pat McAfee Show.

“In any case, Joe Alt’s a premier left tackle candidate,” Bill Belichick said. “Long. Tall. Has played at a high level of competition, obviously, at Notre Dame. He’s been well-coached. His fundamentals are good. This guy’s ready to go. I think he’ll be ready to play right away for them.”

At that point, the broadcast went to film to highlight what Joe Alt is capable of doing on a football field. In it, Belichick compared him to former New England Patriots tackle Nate Solder.

“Reminds me of Nate Solder. Solder was 6’9″. Solder was a really athletic kid. This is Solder in that same kind of height and athleticism.”

Along with Alt’s athleticism, Belichick also praised him for his awareness, his ability to pull block, and how he’s matched up with the good pass rushers he’s seen. Belichick also highlighted his balance as a thing that Alt can work on at the next level.

“This guy, there’s a lot to like about him,” Belichick said. “He’s a quality guy. He’ll be a great team guy for them. Good teammate. You’ll like having him on your football team. There’s no question about that. This is a character pick too.”

There were those who felt that offensive line wasn’t the right choice for the Los Angeles Chargers with this pick. Those people, instead, thought Los Angeles should go out and get one of the talented playmakers in the draft. However, new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh insisted that an offensive lineman like Joe Alt is a weapon.

“I know the questions are gonna come up and you’re gonna say, ‘What about a weapon?’” Harbaugh said. “Offensive linemen, we look at as weapons.”

As the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft, Joe Alt’s rookie contract is set at four years and $33.1 million with the Chargers. He’ll also receive $20.9 million as a signing bonus. That comes with a fifth-year team option to keep him in Los Angeles through the 2028 season.