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, who went fourth to the Arizona Cardinals.

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

“He’s a great piece to add to our attack,” Harbaught said. “Passing and running.”

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.

“We have total confidence that we got it right,” Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh and Hortiz smiled and bumped fists as they spoke to reporters.

“My brother texted me after we made the pick and said, ‘That’s who I would have picked,’” Harbaugh said of his brother John, the coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Asked how he responded, Harbaugh brought out his phone from his jacket pocket, scrolled down and found the text from his brother and laughed.

“Oh, I haven’t texted him back,” Harbaugh said.

Hortiz said he had trade calls, including one as the Chargers were on the clock. But he and Harbaugh were bound and determined to select Alt in keeping with their game plan to pick the best player available, regardless of position. They had Alt slotted as their top pick all along, Hortiz said.

More to come on this story.