Is Left Tackle Joe Alt The Next Jake Matthews?

Notre Dame left tackle (LT) Joe Alt was a former tight end who is now one of the most impressive tackles in recent draft cycles.

He brings a high football IQ with NFL-caliber talent.

His tape showcases nothing but physical traits that will transition to the next level, allowing him to make an immediate impact. Alt was a four-star recruit by 247 Sports and a three-star recruit by ESPN.

2023 Summary:

Alt displayed his talents during the 2023 season once again, allowing just one sack and five total pressures while playing at left tackle. His strength, mobility, and athleticism were all developed and displayed during the season. He also earned first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports, USA Today Sports, Pro Football Focus, The Athletic, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated. This made Alt the first unanimous All-American OT from Notre Dame since 2017. To add to his impressive resume, Alt was also a Lombardi Award finalist and 2023 team captain.

Overview: Joe Alt

6-Foot-8, 315 Pounds

40 Time: 4.90 (nfldraftbuzz.com)

Level of Competition: High

Colton Edwards Grade: First-Round

2022 Film Evaluated: California, Ohio State, and USC

2023 Film Evaluated: Louisville, NC State, and Ohio State

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Prototypical build with great length and an impressive ability to hold his mass. Exceptional explosion off the line of scrimmage (LOS) with an impressive lateral burst to correct angles. Elite short-area quickness which allows him to inline reach or instantly make his way up to the second level. Excellent pad level to dominate the point of attack. Consistently sustains blocks, creating inside leverage with good hand placement, a natural base, and active moving feet.

Strong anchor with good lateral agility and quickness. Shows elite flexibility off the snap which allows him to gain leverage. Strong initial punches with very good redirecting skills. Utilizes his wingspan, impressive athleticism, and snap quickness to deliver those punches, redirecting rushers with underrated hip flexibility. Great kick set and natural balance to withstand any rush, displaying his high IQ in picking up stunts and blitzes.

Weaknesses: Even though he has elite power, Alt sometimes struggles to drive after contact. He could refine his technique as he lacks lateral quickness in zone schemes. He tends to lunge at opponents in pass protection, leaving him susceptible to some pass-rush moves.

Summary:

On film, Alt is an elite wash-down blocker down the line of scrimmage. Good combo blocker in the run game, creating cut-back lanes for the running back to find and reach the second level of the defense. Alt showcases the physicality, tenacity, and reaction speed that are popular in franchise left tackles. He is extremely explosive with elite foot speed and agility. On top of that, he displays absurd flexibility, bend, and quick reactions. His strength and hand usage are no longer concerns, demonstrating consistency at the position. Alt would flourish in a run-heavy (zone system) or West Coast offense in the NFL.

Who will he remind us of?

2014 NFL Draft pick (No. 6) Atlanta Falcons LT Jake Matthews

Colton just graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science at the United States Sports Academy. He has previous coaching experience as a former offense and defensive line coach at a local high school. While performing those duties, he also worked at PFF(Pro Football Focus) for a brief moment of time. He currently develops scouting reports here at firstroundmock.com. He aspires to become an NFL Scout/GM in the future.