Former NFL Scout Not Sold on High Cut 6-Foot-9 Joe Alt

I cannot warm up to Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt on game film.

Over the past two seasons, I’ve studied the big man in 12 games.

He’s got the technique down cold and he gives high effort. However, I can’t ignore what my eyes are telling me about his body type and how it works against him on game film. College-level defenders gave Alt everything he could handle.

Alt has this awkward-looking high-cut athletic frame at 6-foot-9 and a high center of gravity that will cause issues in the NFL.

Alt has ‘decent footspeed’ and a ‘decent anchor,‘ but decent is not great. All I can think of when I’m watching Alt through my ‘NFL colored glasses,’ is how he will match up against the NFL’s best edge rushers coming off his side, the blindside of a right-handed NFL QB. Those pass rushers promise to be fast, polished, agile, and savvy, and some play with brute power at the point of attack. I don’t like the thought of those matchups.

How does he look at run blocking?

Alt gives it everything he has to give in this department, but again, he is challenged by his frame and body type.

He’s great with leverage and he gets after defenders.

The inconsistency kicks in sustaining blocks for a long enough time and it’s hit-and-miss in space with him attempting to adjust to agile defenders outside of his domain.

NFL bloodlines

Alt’s dad, John Alt played in the NFL for 13 years with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1984 to 1996.

This is a big deal in NFL college scouting departments if a prospect’s dad or grandpa played and had success in the league (or another close relative).

Why?

It’s a helpful predictor.

Too tall?

6-foot-9 translates into 81 inches tall

According to Mile High Report, “If we look at all 82 tall OTs, we find that most don’t make good offensive tackles in the NFL.”

Those who have measured 81 inches and above include Dennis Roland (81.63), Mike Rockwood (82.40), Dan Skipper (81.63), Brennan Curtin (81.10), Samuel Lightbody (81.00) and Russ Mccullough (81.00). Out of that group only Skipper started any NFL games (5).

The article touched on retired Alejandro Villanueva (6-foot-9) who started 107 games in the NFL over a seven-year career (Steelers and Ravens). He’s the only one in recent history who has made a career out of being this tall in the NFL.

That means Alt would potentially be only the second offensive tackle at his height to forge a successful NFL career.

I don’t like those odds.

#76 Joe Alt 6-foot-9, 321 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: Second-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 99.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 22, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Nothing Dominant About Notre Dame’s Joe Alt on Game Film (5 games evaluated)

2023 game film reviewed: Ohio State, NC State, USC, Duke, Navy, Clemson, and Louisville (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Alt NFL Combine Results (“Will Become Good Starter Within Two Years” 6.49 Grade ⎯league site isn’t seeing him as an ‘elite’ grade)

Pro Football Focus: 774 pass blocks (past two seasons) have yielded one sack, four hits, and eight quarterback hurries.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Tenacious prospect who lacks natural bend and flexibility. Competitive. Inconsistent pass pro footwork. Clumsy balance at times. Excellent hand usage. Plays at a high pad level. Imposing presence. Pure size and arm length naturally shields the pocket. Strong-willed fighter. Susceptible to leaning into defenders and compromising his balance and leverage. Gets turned and chasing too much on the perimeter. Average anchor versus bull rushers. Mixed results run blocking. Aggressive streak comes out. Brawler. On the ground too much. Likes to pancake. Popular comps 2018 NFL Draft (No. 9) Mike McGlinchey (6-foot-8) and 2013 NFL Draft (No. 1) Eric Fisher (6-foot-7).

Final words

I don’t like the thought of Alt playing left tackle in the NFL.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.