Another popular Patriots prospect declares for the 2024 NFL draft

The focus of Patriots fans for most of the 2023 season has been on the upcoming NFL draft, mainly because the team is going to have the highest draft pick in over 30 years. Given how much improvement the roster needs, especially at quarterback, it's the one silver lining that most have held onto over the last few months as they watched another disappointing season.

Because they are projected to have the second overall pick, at least with four games remaining, Bill Belichick (or whoever the GM might be this offseason) will have their pick of almost any player in the draft.

The most assumed position of interest will be quarterback since Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe appear not to be the guy, and one of the favorites to land with New England, Drake Maye, has already declared for the draft.

Although he's the only quarterback of interest to date to do so, another player on the Patriots' radar made his announcement earlier this week.

The highest-ranked offensive tackle out of Notre Dame declared for the draft on Wednesday, providing the team with another possible immediate starter and fixer for the offense needing some help on the line. He has been long touted as a generational talent at the position, despite being just 20 years old, with an impressive skill set for his size.

At 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, Alt would be an absolute monster for any offensive line and any defender's nightmare to try and get through.

Considering the inconsistencies from the Patriots line over the last few years, Alt should be highly considered heading into the 2024 draft. Even if the most ideal scenario would be taking a quarterback high, it's hard to pass up on a lineman who could significantly impact the offense upon arrival.

The problem is that he would have to be their first-round pick, as he will not fall beyond the top 10. Maybe that's not the most exciting pick, and they should prioritize other positions, but with Trent Brown's future unclear and the offensive line being one of the more vulnerable parts of the team, Alt should be at the top of the board for the Patriots come draft night.

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