Meet Joe Alt, the Tennessee Titans’ potential 2024 NFL Draft pick
With positional needs across the field, the Tennessee Titans have a number of directions they could go with the seventh pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, with a clear need at offensive tackle, the prospect the Titans have been most heavily linked to is Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.
Here's everything you need to know about the Titans' potential first round pick.
Will Tennessee Titans draft Joe Alt?
It almost makes too much sense for the Titans to take Alt, and it's certainly the most plausible scenario entering Thursday's draft. The Titans have a clear need at offensive tackle and Alt is widely regarded as the best option at the position.
Last season the Titans allowed the worst pressure rate in the NFL and the league's second-worst sack rate. A 2023 Lombardi Award finalist, Alt helped lead Notre Dame to 39.1 points per game, second best in school history.
Titans GM Ran Carthon spoke to media about the importance of a strong offensive line on Tuesday.
"This game is about protecting the quarterback," Carthon said. "You want guys who can protect the quarterback."
However, the depth at the tackle position in this year's draft is one reason Alt may not be Tennessee's choice come Thursday evening. This year's class of offensive tackles is one of the strongest in recent memory and if Carthon and the rest of the front office aren't totally sold on Alt, they could feasibly trade back and grab another tackle such as Taliese Fuaga or Olumuyiwa Fashanu later in round one.
There's also the potential for the Titans to bolster second-year quarterback Will Levis' receiving core by going with a receiver such as Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is another name Tennessee may look to if it's not an offensive tackle on Thursday.
Despite the wide range of options at Tennessee's disposal in the first round, Alt remains the most likely option with his seamless fit making the Titans pick one of the easier to predict in this year's draft.
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What is Joe Alt’s height and weight?
Alt stands at 6-foot-8, taller than the average offensive tackle, and he weighs 321-pounds.
Height: 6-8
Weight: 321-pounds
Who is Joe Alt’s dad?
Alt's father, John, played offensive tackle in the NFL for 12 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. A member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame, John was the 21st pick in the 1984 NFL Draft, meaning Alt will be the second member of his family to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
John Alt played 179 games in the NFL, earning a second-team All-Pro nod in 1990 as well as Pro Bowl selections in 1992 and 1993. Prior to the NFL, John was a tackle at the University of Iowa.
John Alt was offensive line coach at Totino-Grace High School in Minnesota while his son attended the school. Like his son, Alt is 6-8.
Who is Joe Alt’s brother?
Alt's older brother, Mark, was the 53rd overall selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The defenseman was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes and more recently played for the Los Angeles Kings in 2020-21 before a stretch in the AHL.
Most recently Mark Alt played for the Straubing Tigers in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He's currently a free agent.
Along with hockey, Mark played quarterback in high school, winning a Minnesota state title in 2009 and earning offers from multiple power five schools before ultimately attending the University of Minnesota for hockey.
Mark stands at 6-4.
Where did Joe Alt go to college?
Alt attended the University of Notre Dame for three years and studied mechanical engineering.
Alt was a team captain and a unanimous All-American in 2023. He also was a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy, each given for outstanding play by a lineman.
With Alt at left tackle last season, Notre Dame had 9.13 passing yards per attempt, the third best in school history, 5.3 yards per rush, fifth best in school history, and the seventh-most total yards in school history.
At left tackle for Notre Dame last season Alt allowed one sack and five total pressures. As a sophomore he helped Notre Dame finish top 20 in the nation in least tackles for loss allowed.
What are Joe Alt’s stats, 40 time – (pro day and combine)?
Joe Alt ran a 5.5-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His vertical jump was 28 inches while his broad jump came in at 9 feet, 4 inches.
At the combine, Alt completed the three-cone drill in 7.31 seconds, and his 20-yard shuttle time was 4.51. Alt also completed 27 bench press reps.
Joe Alt’s highlights
Alt was a starter for three years at Notre Dame, starting at left tackle for over 20 consecutive games at one point. In his final season at Notre Dame, Alt started 12 games at left tackle.
A two-time All-American, Alt would fill a positional need for the Titans at the seventh pick, providing much needed protection for second-year quarterback Will Levis. Alt is The Tennessean's projected pick for the Titans in the first round.
Joe Alt’s 247 ranking
Alt was a four-star recruit by 247Sports coming out of high school. He was ranked the 179th-best player nationally, 21st best offensive tackle nationally and second-best player from Minnesota.
In his senior year, Alt was a Mr. Football finalist in Minnesota. In his junior year of high school, Alt lined up at defensive end and tight end. As a tight end he had 17 receptions for 143 yards.
Harrison Campbell covers high school sports and more for The Daily Herald. Email him at hcampbell@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @hccampbell7.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Meet Joe Alt, Tennessee Titans' potential 2024 NFL draft pick
