COSTA MESA — In the end, the Chargers didn’t trade the fifth pick in the NFL draft Thursday. They didn’t pick a standout wide receiver such as Malik Nabers of LSU to replace Keenan Allen or Mike Williams. They also didn’t get the chance to select Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State, the fourth pick.

The Chargers did take Joe Alt, a mammoth offensive lineman from Notre Dame, in keeping with the preferred method of operation of new General Manager Joe Hortiz and new Coach Jim Harbaugh. They both like big lineman to protect their quarterbacks and further their physical rushing games.

Alt was a unanimous All-American selection this past season as a junior at Notre Dame. He was listed at 6-foot-9, 321 pounds at the NFL Draft Combine last month in Indianapolis. He was the top-rated offensive lineman going into the draft, and the Chargers jumped at the chance to get him.

He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award in 2023 as the nation’s top offensive and defensive lineman, starting all 12 games as a left tackle. His father, John, was a first-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection as a lineman.

 More to come on this story.

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