Alt, who was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, finished with a 94.3-percent pass-block win rate, according to ESPN, which was the fourth-highest mark among offensive tackles in the regular season.
Meanwhile, McConkey set the Chargers franchise rookie record for receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,149) as he quickly emerged as Justin Herbert’s top target. McConkey’s yardage total was good enough to finish his rookie season 10th overall in the NFL.
For as great of an impact both Alt and McConkey had as the first two picks, what the Bolts were able to find on Day 3 was just as impressive and a big reason why the class was rated so highly.
The Bolts were able to find a pair of starting cornerbacks in Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, both of whom were fifth-round picks who stepped up when injuries struck the group.
The rookie cornerbacks emerged as young playmakers from the jump and have given the Bolts a promising duo in the secondary.
GM Joe Hortiz did some inspired work midway through Day 3 of the draft, snagging cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart in the span of four picks. Despite being inactive for the first three weeks of the season, the ballhawking Still led the team with 10 passes defensed and four interceptions, including a 61-yard pick-six that provided the winning points in the 17-13 triumph at Atlanta.
Elsewhere, CBS Sports’ draft analyst Chris Trapasso also had the Bolts near the top of his rookie class rankings at No. 8.
He echoed similar points to Filice about the top of the draft and the work in the later rounds, as Hortiz and his staff were able to grab a number of high-level difference makers in Year 1.
Alt and McConkey look like future franchise building blocks for the Chargers. I won’t be surprised if All-Pro distinctions are on the horizon for those two. Still felt like an obscure fifth-round cornerback yet was far from that label with 10 pass breakups and four interceptions.
