Inclusion of Joe Alt on elite list affirms Chargers used first-round pick wisely

The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the best rookies in the league and his future is incredibly bright. 

With the No. 5 overall pick in this past spring's draft, the Chargers chose Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. Many fans were pushing for a wide receiver and with Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze on the board, many felt one of them should be the pick. 

But Harbaugh opted to go with the guy to help fortify an incredible offensive line and while one of those receivers would have been a great pick, Alt was the right pick. 

Looking at the 10 best rookies through 10 weeks this season, ESPN put Alt in at the No. 10 slot. Here is what they had to say:

"Alt has been playing his best football over the past four weeks. From Weeks 7 through 10, he posted a pass block win rate of 95.2%, including a 100% figure on 29 snaps in the Week 8 win over the Saints. With his 6-foot-8 frame, Alt has shown the ability to knock edge rushers off their tracks. He fits the Chargers' offensive identity under Jim Harbaugh as a run blocker at the point of attack."

When ESPN made this same list after Week 5, Alt just missed the list. He did have a sprained MCL earlier in the season that threatened to be a serious injury but he was back after missing just one game. 

Joe Alt will be one of Chargers' top building blocks

Regardless of how this season finishes up, the Chargers are on the right track to a successful future. The 6-foot-8 Alt will be a key piece of that foundation. 

Just a friendly reminder that Joe Alt is 6'8, 320 and should not be able to get out in space this effortlessly. pic.twitter.com/RHL0sfVh4Z

Alt has been tasked with taking on some of the game's best pass-rushers and he's hardly looked like a rookie in doing so. That said, the fact that he's only 21 years old tells you he hasn't come close to hitting his ceiling. 

Some great wide receivers are coming into the league and Nabers is one of the most exciting. But the selection of Alt was the right one for this Chargers team and it will pay dividends for years to come. 

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