Tag: Cam Hart

10 defensive backs for the Eagles to watch at the 2024 NFL combine

We’re looking at ten defensive backs for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Defensive back depth is a massive priority for the Eagles, and that’ll be the position to watch on Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Howie Roseman is looking to retool the roster following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

There could be decisions on cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry in the coming days, while the Eagles only have two safeties on the roster after releasing Kevin Byard.

With Day 2 of on-field workouts set to begin, we’re looking at ten defensive backs for Philadelphia to watch.

Vikings 2024 7 round mock draft 7.0: Drafting to bolster the offense

What if the Minnesota Vikings used the NFL Draft to bolster the offense? Tyler Forness explores that exact, yet unlikely, strategy

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of different ways they can go in the NFL draft. There will be some discussion on what needs are most important but the Vikings can address most of them through both free agency and the NFL draft.

Each week throughout the leadup to the NFL draft, I will be doing different seven-round mock drafts for the Vikings as a way to explore different scenarios. You never know who might fall to you and how that could cause a ripple effect and being ready for those situations is paramount come draft weekend.

In the second rendition of our seven-round mock draft series, what could a draft look like that has the Vikings focusing solely on the offensive side of the ball after using free agency to fix the defense?

Mock Draft 1.0
Mock Draft 2.0
Mock Draft 3.0
Mock Draft 4.0
Mock Draft 5.0
Mock Draft 6.0

2024 NFL draft: 5 defensive backs for Chargers to watch at Combine

Here are a few defensive backs for the Los Angeles Chargers to watch at the Combine.

The NFL Scouting Combine is in full gear, which will bring the 2024 draft class fully into focus, as this is the week of athletic testing, evaluations, and interviews for over 300 prospects.

With the combine ready to set the stage before free agency and the draft, we look at players worth monitoring for the Chargers.

Whether it be players who are options at pick No. 5 or later in the draft, we will pick out some at each position who should test well and generate buzz.

Here are a few defensive backs worth keeping an eye on.

Vikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: Notre Dame CB Cam Hart

The sixth member of the All-Forno team, Notre Dame CB Cam Hart is an aggressive cornerback with great size and atleticism.

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.

The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.

Lions 2024 Draft Prospect of the Day: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

Hart offers a lot of length

The Lions Draft Prospect of the Day rolls onward toward the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine and moves back to cornerback today.

The focus is on players who should hold some appeal to the Lions in the draft, with a focus on the more likely positions the team will be targeting. If you’re looking for quarterbacks or upper-echelon running backs, you’re probably not going to find those here. Outside cornerbacks, defensive linemen, interior offensive linemen, some wide receivers and offensive tackles figure to appear along the path to April’s draft. Not all of the players will be top-100 prospects, either.

Today’s prospect is a big outside cornerback the Lions met with during Senior Bowl week

Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

Height: 6-foot-2 3/4

Weight: 207 (measured at Senior Bowl)

Hart headed from Baltimore to South Bend as a five-year player for the Fighting Irish. He was a high school wide receiver who transitioned into an outside corner at Notre Dame, starting 32 games and playing in 45 total. He appeared on the Bruce Feldman “Freaks” list for 2023.

The 23-year-old Hart was a team captain for the Fighting Irish and recorded 85 tackles and 11 TFLs in his final three seasons. In his college career, Hart broke up 19 passes and picked off two INTs. He allowed a 50 percent completion rate in those final three years playing outside CB almost exclusively.

To get to know more about Hart’s personality and which Lions players he trains with already, check out our interview with him from the Senior Bowl.

What I like

  •  The length is obvious, but Hart also understands how to use his length to his advantage in pressing the sideline and cutting down throwing angles
  • Adept at staying on the hip pocket of receivers on deeper routes
  • Stays in phase well in man coverage, doesn’t overreact to fakes and double moves
  • Very good at reading and attacking screens and swing passes
  • Patient in zone without being too passive
  • Long speed is impressive for a taller CB and he does have a “chase” gear
  • Plays within himself well; understands his own game and his strengths and weaknesses–high football IQ

What worries me going into the NFL

  •  Overstrides coming out of transition at times, which leaves him vulnerable to quicker-than-fast receivers
  • Doesn’t always find the ball in the air fast enough to make plays even when he’s in a position to make them
  • Has had three separate shoulder surgeries while at Notre Dame
  • Presents a lot of target area for blockers to engage and isn’t great at disengaging from blocks
  • Gets too tall when tackling at times

Best game I watched: USC

Worst game I watched: Pittsburgh

Overall

 Hart’s physical traits and gifts are obvious and would certainly hold appeal for the Lions. He’s a smart, selfless player with decent production in both run and pass defense. 

The film from Notre Dame and his work during Senior Bowl week screams Day 2 pick and a potential early starter. However, the medical evaluation will be critical. Three shoulder surgeries are indicative of durability questions. It also appears as if Hart might be protecting the shoulder a bit as a tackler at times, too.

While Lions GM Brad Holmes hasn’t shown an aversion to players with injury history, it’s uncertain what impact it will have this year and for Hart. He’s a player who could drop into the fifth or sixth round because of those concerns even though he’s a top-100 caliber talent.

[lawrence-related id=103498]

 

Titans 5-round mock draft: Taking a LT in Round 1

In our first mock draft of the offseason, the Titans address four big needs with their first four picks.

Since the Tennessee Titans’ season ended, we’ve covered mock drafts of experts from different media outlets, but now it’s time to bring you one of our own to give a local perspective of what the team could do once the 2024 NFL draft rolls around.

The Titans have a ton of needs on both sides of the ball, but the most glaring of the bunch are at wide receiver and offensive line, where the Titans must improve to put quarterback Will Levis in a better position to succeed.

In my first mock draft of the offseason, I have the Titans addressing both of those needs with their first two picks.

For this mock, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator and the only stipulation was that I only had one crack at making picks for Tennessee, so there weren’t any redos.

Here’s a look at how things shook out under that condition, and make sure to vote in our poll at the bottom to give your grade for this five-rounder (note: Titans don’t have a third-round pick).

7 round Vikings mock draft from The Athletic is sure to turn heads

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis did a seven round mock draft for the Minnesota Vikings. Tyler Forness took a look at every pick and broke it down.

The Minnesota Vikings are in a very unique and fun position heading into the 2024 NFL draft. They don’t just need a quarterback of the future, but the defense needs more talent to keep up their growth under defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Here at Vikings Wire, we have done multiple seven-round mock drafts for the Vikings taking a look at different scenarios. Teams will do the same thing leading up to April’s annual selection meeting. We also will take a look at how others in the industry view the Vikings in how they will approach the NFL draft.

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote up a seven-round mock draft released on Tuesday. Let’s take a look at what he has the Vikings doing.

Vikings 2024 7 round mock draft 3.0: What if they trade back into the 1st round for a QB?

What if the Minnesota Vikings trade back up into the first round for a quarterback? The latest 2024 NFL mock draft dives into it

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of different ways they can go in the NFL draft. There will be some discussion on what needs are most important but the Vikings can address most of them through both free agency and the NFL draft.

Each week throughout the leadup to the NFL draft, I will be doing different seven round mock drafts for the Vikings as a way to explore different scenarios. You never know who might fall to you and how that could cause a ripple effect and being ready for those situations is paramount come draft weekend.

In the second rendition of our seven round mock draft series, what could a draft look like that has the Vikings trading up into the back of the first round to take a quarterback?

Mock Draft 1.0
Mock Draft 2.0

Defensive standouts for Chargers from Senior Bowl: Day 3

Here’s who stood out on the defensive side of the ball.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl concluded practices on Thursday, with at least two high-ranking members of the Chargers scouting team in Mobile, AL to watch some of this year’s top draft prospects.

Here’s who stood out on the defensive side of the ball.

Senior Bowl Day 2 and Day 3 observations: Players that could fit the Lions

Senior Bowl Day 2 and Day 3 observations: Players that could fit the Lions

Thursday afternoon marked the final day of practices at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. It’s been a great week with beautiful weather and even better play on the field by the players. As we know, all these players are doing everything they can to solidify their draft status.

Certainly, three days of practice should not drastically change a players grade on a teams draft board. That said, these three days of practice should give teams, scouts and analysts the conviction they need when placing these players on the board.

While I’d like to add a player such as Quinyon Mitchell, that dream was short lived for Lions fans. All signs are pointing to the Toledo cornerback being a top-20 pick and there’s a chance he could be the first cornerback off the board. Especially since there’s not a clear-cut cornerback at the top, it could be a group where teams just “pick their flavor.”

With that, I’ve got 8 players that could be the Detroit Lions “type of flavor” for their locker room. Here are my thoughts after day two and day three of the 2024 Senior Bowl:

  • Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon — No doubt about it, one of the best players in Mobile this week was Jackson Powers-Johnson from Oregon. There’s a good chance that he finds his way into the top-25 of the 2024 NFL Draft but crazier things have happened. Especially with an expected run of wide receivers, cornerbacks, quarterbacks and offensive tackles, we could see JPJ fall into the Lions lap with the 29th overall pick. While it’s not a stylish pick, one could argue that the interior offensive line could become one of the biggest needs on the team in the coming weeks. Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow are set to hit the market so if either of them end up leaving, JPJ could slide into a starting role at guard. Primarily used as a center with the Ducks, he weighed in at 334 pounds in Mobile and looked better than ever. Always under control with good balance and ability to move in space, JPJ would be an immediate starter for the Lions offensive line.
  • Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville — Drafting a wide receiver may not be the biggest need for the Lions and we can all get that. However, if the team doesn’t bring back Josh Reynolds, it’ll be interesting how they address the wide receiver room. Looking for another weapon could be in the cards for Detroit and one of the most consistent players all week was Jamari Thrash. He checked into the Senior Bowl at 5’11” and 185 pounds but he just finds way to separate. He’s not a speedster like other receivers but he has great burst and the pacing of his routes is what helps him separate consistently. He could be a potential option somewhere on day two for the Lions in the 2024 NFL Draft.
  • Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame — After talking with Cam Hart during the media portion of practice, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Lions took a liking to him. He’s a professional and carries himself very well. In addition to that, he was knowledgeable to different coverages and feels like a potential fit to Aaron Glenn’s defense that primarily uses Cover 1 and Cover 3. Additionally, Hart told me his film process on PSL’s (pre-snap looks), wide receiver tendencies and more. I think the Lions could fall in love with how he approaches the game of football.
  • Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri — Could the Lions consider a hometown kid with the 29th overall pick? If they want Darius Robinson, all signs are pointing to him going much earlier than expected. He’s 6’5″ and 286 pounds with 34 3/4″ arms. Standing out with a muscular frame, Robinson put on a showcase this week. Playing high school football at my rival school of Canton High School, Robinson has had significant growth as a player. He’s versatile with his ability to play from a 2i-technique to a 5-technique. He’s got plenty of power behind his game and he’s able to counter consistently with his power, length and eyes to fool the opposition.
  • Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas — Over the last two days, Dominick Puni consistently stood out. At 6’4″ and 323 pounds, Puni put his versatility on display all week. From playing all five positions, a team like the Lions could take a liking to him. He plays under control and finished plenty of blocks during the 1-on-1 portion of practice. In addition to that, he appeared to be one of the most coachable players on the field. Whenever he made a mistake, he searched for coaching and it felt like the next rep got better for him. As the Lions look for depth up front, I could see them taking a liking to Puni during the draft process.
  • Gabe Hall, IDL, Baylor — Talking with a scout during the first day of practice, he had told me to keep tabs on Gabe Hall. This was near the end of practice so I made a note of it and sure enough, the next two days, Hall made several plays. At 6’5″ and 290 pounds with 34 3/8″ arms, there’s much to be desired with Hall’s skill-set. He looks versatile and athletic enough to play from nose to 4i-technique in the Lions defensive front. He has plenty of power that knocks back offensive lineman and his hands got faster by the day. Whether it be a push-pull move or a swim move, Hall made plays all week. It may take a day two pick but Hall would pair nicely with the Lions depth on the defensive line.
  • T’Vondre Sweat, IDL, Texas — Just a massive human, how could you not want to see Sweat on your team? At 6’4″ and 362 pounds (listed on the team site), Sweat is a load for offensive lineman. The power behind his hands is significant and he should be an A-plus run defender immediately. It’ll be interesting if he ends up becoming a three-down player for a team but his tape suggests he can get after the quarterback. Whether it be an arm-over, push pull move or just a power rush, Sweat made an impact on the Longhorns defense. Having him in Detroit would draw more protection his way and it should free up Alim McNeill and Aidan Hutchinson.
  • J.D. Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame — I’m not sure if the Lions would draft another linebacker in the 2024 NFL Draft but they have drafted one every single year under Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. With Derrick Barnes suffering a knee injury in the NFC Championship, the Lions could have some concern on his readiness for next season. With that, I could see them taking interest to J.D. Bertrand from Notre Dame. Out of all the players I interviewed this week, he stood out above them all. He loves football and you can see it when he talks about it. At 6’1″ and 235 pounds with 30 1/4″ arms, there could be concern with his lack of length to shed blocks consistently at the next level. However, he told me that they were “stimulus response linebackers” at Notre Dame. He was physical this week and his run fits really stood out above most of the linebackers in Mobile. With the Lions looking for high-character guys that define “grit”, Bertrand could be a player that they fall in love with during the process.