Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh channels Bill Walsh by drafting OT Joe Alt

Los Angeles Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh

New Los Angeles Chargers Jim Harbaugh has made building and improving the offensive line a major priority in year No. 1 with the franchise. He was true to that priority when the Chargers selected the best offensive tackle in the NFL Draft, Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, at No. 5 overall on Thursday night.

“A player on the top of our board,” Harbaugh said. “Nobody was rated higher than Joe Alt when it came to our selection.”

Alt stands a gargantuan 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds, has great lengt, and moves with swiftness. He checked all the boxes for the Chargers.

“You watch him come off the ball in the run game — obviously, we’re going to run the ball here — and he drives off the line of scrimmage,” general manager Joe Hortiz explained. “You watch him move players over three gaps. Very athletic, excellent range, high-level competitor. Certainly an athlete as a pass protector.”

Harbaugh is also impressed with Alt’s ceiling at just 21 years old. While Alt isn’t raw, he’s not a finished product, either, saying, “This is exactly what you wish for.”

“21 years old, there’s a ton of upside,” Harbaugh said. “He’s not a finished product. To be that good with where he’s at, this is a high, high ceiling and a high floor.”

Harbaugh realizes some may question why the Chargers drafted a lineman when wideout is perceived as a position of need after the team traded Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and released Mike Williams earlier this offseason.

“I know the question is going to come up, ‘What about a weapon?’ Offensive linemen, we look at as weapons,” Harbaugh said. “That group, when we talk about attacking on offense, the offensive line is the tip of the spear.”

Harbaugh feels drafting Alt will benefit not just the running game, but the passing attack and quarterback Justin Herbert as well. Herbert has suffered injuries in consecutive seasons. In describing his draft philosophy, Harbaugh channeled legendary San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh.

“It’s not just the running game with the offensive line,” Harbaugh said. “They protect and that’s why they get paid so much money … because the quarterback has got to be able to finish his throwing motion. “That comes from Bill Walsh. I’m stealing that one, I didn’t invent that one.”

If Herbert benefits from the drafting of Alt and if the running game improves because of him, this pick could ultimately be one of the best in the 2024 NFL Draft. Expect a much more physical Chargers offense this fall.

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