Titans NFL Draft Daily (Jan. 11): Notre Dame OT Joe Alt to Titans in Latest Mock Drafts

There are months of mock drafts to go, but ESPN and Pro Football Focus currently have the Tennessee Titans selecting Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt at No. 7 in the 2024 NFL Draft. The two-time All-American would be a significant upgrade for the Titans.

It's no secret that the Tennessee Titans need serious help at offensive tackle. If the latest mock drafts prove to be accurate, the team is going to get a serious boost at that position.

Recently released mock drafts from ESPN and Pro Football Focus (PFF) both have the Titans picking up Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

That would be a big improvement for Tennessee. Not only is Alt listed as the No. 2 offensive tackle in this year's draft class, he's expected to immediately start wherever he lands — which is exactly what the Titans need.

Alt was a two-time All-American selection at Notre Dame. In the past two seasons, Alt allowed just two sacks. His ability to protect the passer is an urgent need for Tennessee, which surrendered 64 sacks in 2023. 

"The 6-foot-8, 320-pound player has shown continuous improvement each year of his college career, and some scouts believe Alt is the most well-rounded blocker in this class," ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid wrote. 

PFF is also high on Alt's ability to change the dynamic of Tennessee's offensive line. He's graded as the second-best offensive tackle in the draft class, behind Penn State's Olu Fashanu.

"At 6-foot-8, Alt brings elite size to offensive tackle," PFF's Trevor Sikkema wrote. "He's been even better this year at using that size and length to his advantage, yet he maintains technique with leverage to mitigate any natural weaknesses."

Tennessee doesn't have time to tinker around with a prospect who needs development. It needs someone who can immediately step into that left tackle spot and keep quarterback Will Levis clean.

If Alt is still available at No. 7, he would be a huge pick-up for the Titans.

Titans desperate for offensive tackle help

A lot was made of Tennessee's struggles in the trenches during the 2023 season, and for good reason. In addition to the 64 sacks surrendered, Titans quarterbacks faced pressure on 25% of dropbacks last year, per The Film Room. 

It's hard to get into a rhythm when you're on the run.

Levis has shown the potential to be the long-term answer at quarterback. In nine starts last season, Levis threw for 1,808 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 58.4% of his passes.

Ideal numbers? No. But it's hard to give Levis' potential a full assessment with such poor play along the offensive line. He was sacked 28 times — 10% of the time he attempted a pass.

Left tackle, arguably the most important position on the offensive line because that player protects the blind side of a right-handed quarterback, was the Titans' Achilles heel in 2023. 

The combination of Andre Dillard and Jaelyn Duncan surrendered 21 sacks. Exhibit A would be Tennessee's Week 17 game against the Houston Texans. 

The Titans allowed five of the NFL's 20 fastest sacks that weekend, per Next Gen Stats. Those failures end drives and add anxiety every time a quarterback drops back to pass.

Duncan's struggles are somewhat understandable. The former Maryland standout was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He might have a higher ceiling, but was too raw to see significant action last season.

Dillard, on the other hand, is a veteran lineman who signed a three-year deal ahead of the 2023 season. He is scheduled to make a base salary of $9 million in 2024. 

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