Joe Alt Reacts to Meeting With Jets, Playing With Aaron Rodgers
The New York Jets cannot go into the 2024 season without significant upgrades at offensive tackle. With Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith heading to free agency and a smattering of quality tackle prospects in the first round, they won’t be short on options.
As the NFL Draft quickly approaches those in Jets Land looking for a tackle likely have their heart set on Notre Dame’s Joe Alt or Penn State’s Olu Fashanu. Both are legitimate first-round talents and can very well be gone by the time New York is on the clock. There is a second tier of prospects that could certainly be impact starters, but those are the crown jewels of this offensive line class.
Subsequently, the Jets are hoping for as many quarterbacks and defensive players to go in the top nine selections as possible. As long as one of the elite pass catchers or linemen are available, the New York faithful can be truly excited.
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Alt met with the Jets at the NFL Scouting Combine, where teams are measured, timed, interviewed, and scheduled for media availability.
“I met with the Jets earlier this week,” Alt said. “I know a few people on their staff, it was a great visit.”
Of course, the offensive line is important for any team, and few non-quarterbacks are more valuable than a star left tackle. Alt looks to be next in line among top prospects to come out of Notre Dame and transition nicely to the next level. However, Alt’s presence would become even more tied to his team’s success if he was blocking for a 40-year-old quarterback coming off of an Achilles tear.
“It’d be awesome to block for Aaron Rogers,” Alt continued. “It’d be truly an honor. I watched him growing up in Minnesota, so it’d be very cool.”
Unlike some of Alt’s other projected fits, namely the Los Angeles Chargers, Alt wouldn’t be encouraged to switch to right tackle for his rookie season. New York may offer Alt the best chance to compete right away given his draft stock.
With that said, the difference between an Alt-level prospect and a second-tier lineman may be significant, even if both are clear upgrades. There may not have been a more consistent pass protector in college football and his athleticism translates incredibly well to the run game, regardless of scheme.
Combine visits are often more due diligence than an actual indication of interest, but it’s easy to see why New York would be enamored with perhaps the draft’s top tackle. Now, it’s just a matter of him falling far enough to matter.
