OT Joe Alt Prospect Deep Dive: Is He The Best Tackle In The Class?

With a rare talent like Olu Fashanu in this class, it’s easy to forget about Joe Alt, who may get drafted even higher than Olu. It’s not like my opinion of Olu has changed, but after a deeper look at Alt, I can see how some teams would value him more. Alt is another one of these rare Tackle builds coming out this year. His athleticism and length combination is precisely what teams look for in modern Tackles. Additionally, this a well-seasoned player who’s consistently thrived in every category as a blocker. He doesn’t have many true weaknesses, and you’ll find out exactly what he excels in within this article. I’ll also try to answer whether he’s the best Tackle in this class. As you’ll see, I have him ranked at number two, but it’s more complicated than just a grade. We’ll get into it, but just know he has a legitimate shot to be the first Tackle off the board.

Four all-22 games and his highlights were evaluated, and clips from his film are broken down here. All relevant traits were graded based on his film. His scouting report also factored in stats and analytics, such as PFF grades. Use promo code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Please gamble responsibly and leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.

Film Analysis

The clip above is from 2022, and Joe Alt is matched up against Myles Murphey, who’s now in the pros. He lands a good initial punch with his right hand and then extends into his chest without leaning forward. Murphey is a powerful and athletic pass rusher, and he handles him well in this game.

Alt shows his ability to drive block in the run game on this gap scheme run. As the pulling blockers are there to block the EDGE and LBs, Alt’s responsibility is to seal off the D-Tackle. He gets there quickly and paves a massive hole for the RB.

This clip is a fantastic example of the tenacity and power Alt has. It’s an inside zone run, and he absolutely obliterates the defender here. Notice how he gets really low when he makes initial contact. That helps him compensate for being so tall.

Grades

OVR Grade: 1-100

Traits/ Skills

(Grades are subject to change until draft day.)

Joe Alts’s Pros and Cons

Joe Alt Bio

• In a league that likes to mix up the run schemes, Joe Alt stands out as a Tackle who can do everything as a blocker. He could quickly become an all-pro with exceptional technique and terrific physical tools.

Pros

• Athleticism and size make him the ideal Tackle for any scheme.
• While limited by his height, he has excellent technique in his hands, which compensates for the lack of his leverage advantage.
• Massive stature forces pass rushers to win with speed and finesse, where he also excels.
• Consistently displayed high-end processing skills to pick up stunts and twists.
• Plenty of agility and bend in his knees to handle finesse.
• Outstanding top-end speed makes him perfect for screens and pulling blocks.
• Played in a pro-style offense with many traditional dropbacks.
• Started for three years and was steady in pass-pro and run blocking every year.
• Consistently paved wide open lanes in the zone running game.
• Length, upper body strength, and core balance aid him in pass-pro.
• Has the desired tenacity as a run blocker.
• Doesn’t have many weak spots in his game, if any at all, considering he’s a prospect.

Cons

• Due to his height, you can’t really expect him to play on the interior, and he’ll struggle against the Haason Reddicks of the world.
• Doesn’t have many dominant reps on tape.
• Could get better depth in his kick slides, although this improved in 2023.

Combine – TBD

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Pro Day – TBD

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All-22 Exposures

• Clemson, 2022
• Clemson, 2023
• NC State, 2023
• Ohio State, 2023

Final Conclusion on Joe Alt

Joe Alt isn’t the prototype of offensive linemen that fans tend to love. However, there isn’t one thing you look for in a Tackle that he doesn’t have. While he may not regularly make awesome pancake blocks and doesn’t possess elite strength, his game is extraordinarily refined for being a prospect. Additionally, his athletic traits give him superstar potential.

Whether he should be the first Tackle off the board just depends on what you’re looking for in a Tackle prospect. Take Alt if you want a safe bet and a player who can do anything. In the case of Olu, he is still inexperienced in true pass sets and doesn’t bring the run blocking Alt brings to the table. Taking Olu makes more sense for someone like Kansas City who loves to pass it. I have Olu ranked better, but in most cases, I’d take Alt higher.

Many offenses in the meta like to mix up the run between gap and zone. Alt showed throughout his career that he could excel in both areas. This past season has proved he can also be a rock in pass-pro. He may just be the safest Tackle prospect I’ve ever evaluated, and the bizarre thing about him is that he could get much better with proper coaching. Deciding between him and Olu will be challenging, but whoever takes Alt will probably not regret it.