The Los Angeles Chargers selected Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt (76) with the fifth pick of ... [+]
The Chargers welcomed Joe Alt to Los Angeles on Thursday, and yeah, few locals had him on their draft card.
But the Chargers, being reconstructed under new leadership in general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh, selected Alt, an All-American left tackle out of Notre Dame, with the NFL draft’s fifth pick.
The announcement raised eyebrows with the Chargers’ glaring need at wide receiver. Instead of getting someone to track quarterback Justin Herbert’s passes, they passed on LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze.
Before Alt was picked, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. went to the Arizona Cardinals. That fueled speculation the Chargers might trade down, possibly with the Minnesota Vikings to aid their quest for a quarterback.
But Alt was the apple of Hortiz’s eye, which brings a smile to Harbaugh. It’s no secret his love for imposing players and the 6-foot-9, 321-pound Alt is all that.
“We look at offensive linemen as a weapon,’’ Harbaugh told reporters.
Alt, whose father, John, was a Pro Bowl lineman with the Kansas City Chiefs, fits the offensive mold the Chargers are attempting to built: being physical, run-first, play-action attack that emphasis protecting Herbert.
Alt was a staple at left tackle for Notre Dame. Where he settles on upfront with the Chargers is “to be determined” Harbaugh said.
The Chargers have a Pro Bowl left tackle in Rashawn Slater, but Harbaugh wasn’t naming starters on the draft’s first day.
Alt, 21, played in all 12 of Notre Dame’s games last year, allowing one sack. He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.
Hortiz and Harbaugh continue their feverish rebuilding of a muddling squad coming off a 5-12 campaign. Their offseason has been consumed in finding ways to protect Herbert by incorporating an improved ground game.
Running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins were signed to do just that.
The addition of Alt is yet another block in upgrading the run and making sure Herbert, who missed four games last season with a broken finger, stays clean.
The Chargers’ history with their No. 5 picks is impressive with Hall of Famers in linebacker Junior Seau and running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
That’s setting the bar high for Alt.
What isn’t unrealistic his Alt being a cornerstone in an offense known for its grit in glitzy Hollywood.
