Joe Alt is a pass-run blocker with lineage
The 2024 NFL scouting combine is here, with 321 football players descending on Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this week for the annual event.
That means draft season is officially upon us. Who are the top prospects at their position?
Quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle are three of the strongest position groups in this year’s draft class. Some of those players are among this year’s most fascinating draft prospects. Where will they land in the first round of the draft?
USA TODAY Sports explores the top five offensive tackles in the 2024 NFL draft:
Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Height: 6-8
Weight: 322
Alt is a massive offensive tackle with impressive length. He’s an effective pass and run blocker who uses his hands well. He has solid technique and good awareness on the outside.
Alt was a team captain and unanimous first team AllAmerican in 2023. He has good football lineage, too. His father, John, was a two-time Pro Bowl selection who was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2002.
Weaknesses: Sometimes Alt’s size works against him. He doesn’t bend well and can play stiff.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Height: 6-6
Weight: 317
Perhaps the best athlete out of all the top offensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft. Fashanu is quick for his size and has nimble feet. He bends well and is tough to maneuver around. He flashed on tape against some elite pass rushers in college.
Fashanu allowed zero sacks in 365 pass blocking snaps. The Penn State product was named the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and was first-team All-Big Ten.
Weaknesses: He is not an elite run blocker and doesn’t create much of a push against superior competition.
JC Latham, Alabama
Height: 6-6
Weight: 360
Latham is a sturdy offensive tackle with massive size and weight. He has natural strength and is powerful. He is arguably the best run blocker in the draft and plays with a mean streak.
Latham allowed just two sacks in 408 passing snaps last season. He started all 13 games at right tackle for Alabama and was named All-SEC first team.
Weaknesses: Latham doesn’t move his feet well and did have some issues with speed rushers in college. He’s best suited at right tackle.
Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Height: 6-6
Weight: 334
Fuaga was named All-Pac-12 first team last season after allowing zero sacks and just 10 hurries in 700 offensive snaps. He plays with an edge and is a violent blocker, especially in running situations. He moves defenders up front.
Weaknesses: Fuaga is a better run blocker than pass blocker. His pass blocking technique can improve.
Amarius Mims, Georgia
Height: 6-7
Weight: 340
Mims has a very high ceiling. He’s a good athlete who is capable of playing left or right tackle. He moves his feet well, has solid lateral quickness and played with good instincts against SEC competition.
Weaknesses: Mims has limited starting experience. He played in seven games (six starts) last year due to injury and was a reserve tackle in 2022.