Rookie tackle Joe Alt made his regular-season debut for the Los Angeles Chargers in Sunday’s 22-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
His performance was very promising.
Coach Jim Harbaugh summed up Alt’s day succinctly: “Tremendous in pass protection, and things to get better at in the run scheme with Joe.”
let joe cook pic.twitter.com/tnrhWe38MI
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 9, 2024
Alt only allowed one pressure in 29 pass-blocking snaps, according to TruMedia. On film, Alt showed off the pass-protection qualities that made him the No. 5 pick in April. He won all his pass-blocking reps against the Raiders’ best two pass rushers, edge rusher Maxx Crosby and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. And he earned those wins in various ways.
Three aspects of Alt’s skill set jumped out on tape.
1. He has outstanding feet, especially considering his nearly 6-foot-9 frame. He used his movement skills to handle sudden moves — both wide to the edge and to the interior.
2. He leverages his length really well. There were numerous examples against the Raiders of Alt getting his arms fully extended and walling off defenders, both in pass protection and run blocking. Here is an example on a run in the first quarter:
3. Crosby waited until later in the game to really attack Alt with power. And Alt was stellar on these reps. He anchored down against power on two occasions in the second half. This was a component I was watching closely, as Alt’s initial anchor was lacking at times on his college film. I saw more consistency in this area against the Raiders.
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Early in the game, the Chargers did a good job of providing Alt with chip help. I think this helped him settle into the game. With Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst now on the roster at tight end, the Chargers have players who can actually make a difference in chip situations.
This was Dissly on the first play of the game:
And this was Hurst on the second drive of the game, a third-and-6:
Later, Alt ended up in one-on-one matchups with Crosby. And Crosby, on these first-half reps, really tried to attack Alt with speed. On two reps, Alt was at a disadvantage early in the down because of Crosby’s get-off, but recovered with quick and efficient footwork to guide Crosby wide. Quarterback Justin Herbert’s excellent pocket presence and feel aided on these plays.
This was a third-and-5 early in the second quarter. Alt and Crosby are circled in red:
Crosby ripped as he attacked the edge.
With two steps, though, Alt got back into position.
And he steered Crosby wide as Herbert stepped up in the pocket.
In the second half, Crosby came right at Alt. I was a little surprised with Crosby’s pass-rush plan. I thought he would test Alt with power early in the game, and then transition to other moves if Alt proved ready to handle it. Either way, Alt was prepared for everything Crosby threw at him.
This was a second-and-10 in the fourth quarter. Alt and Crosby are circled in red:
Crosby came with a bull rush into Alt’s chest.
He withstood the initial blow.
With two more steps back, Alt gained leverage.
Crosby advanced no further.
The lone pressure Alt allowed, as charted by Pro Football Focus, came against defensive tackle John Jenkins late in the third quarter. Jenkins was able to push Alt back into Herbert and got his hand to Herbert’s throwing arm. But Herbert’s time-to-throw on this play was 3.497 seconds, according to TruMedia. I put this more on tight coverage than anything else. If a tackle holds up for well over three seconds, that is a solid rep.
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Alt was more up and down in the run game. I have no concerns about what Alt will eventually be in the run game. He is going to be an elite run blocker. I thought the Chargers kept Alt’s run-blocking responsibilities rather simple in this season opener. In future games, I think Alt will be weaponized more by Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, especially as a puller. He was dominant as a puller at Notre Dame, and he also showed some of that capacity on film in the preseason.
Wilkins is a really good player, as a pass rusher and run defender. He beat Alt at the line of scrimmage a couple of times in this game. Alt has such a big frame that he can lose leverage when he leans too much. It does not happen often. But that was the through-line with some of Alt’s losses against Wilkins in the run game.
Here is an example in the third quarter. Alt and Wilkins are circled in red:
Alt came off the ball well and started driving Wilkins.
But Wilkins used Alt’s momentum against him and shed him in the backfield.
Wilkins made the stop on second-and-1.
There were still plenty of positive plays in the run game from Alt, including against Wilkins.
This was early in the Chargers’ third drive of the game. Right guard Trey Pipkins III and Alt double-teamed Wilkins off the ball:
Pipkins peeled off, and Alt did a great job of continuing to drive his feet.
He cleared Wilkins outside of the numbers.
Sunday was a first test for Alt against two of the better defensive linemen in the league.
He passed.
(Top photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today; screenshots via NFL+)
