Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Notre Dame cornerback Cam Hart.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
On paper, the Green Bay Packers appear to have a solid group of cornerbacks. Jaire Alexander is an all-pro caliber player. Carrington Valentine showed promise last season as a seventh-round rookie. Keisean Nixon is back to man the nickel position. If Eric Stokes can rediscover his rookie form, the Packers could be cooking with gas.
Can Alexander and Stokes stay healthy? Are the Packers willing to put all their eggs in the Valentine basket?
There is no denying that the room has talent, but clouds are approaching, ready to damper expectations.
With those question marks surrounding the cornerback room, the Packers will likely add a body to that room for the sake of competition and depth.
A prospect that Brian Gutekunst could target is Notre Dame’s Cam Hart. The Notre Dame prospect checks in at No. 49 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Hart, a Maryland native, suffered a season-ending injury during his first season at South Bend. The following season he broke up two passes in four games. During the 2021 season, Hart recorded 41 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven pass deflections. In 2022, Hart recorded three tackles for loss and broke up four passes.
During his final season at South Bend, Hart recorded three tackles for loss and broke up four passes.
“He was instrumental in the secondary for the defense,” Luciano Antonini, a writer for The Irish Tribune, said. “Every time he was out there he made an impact, and every time he wasn’t it was noticeable.”
Hart is a long cornerback who chokes passing lanes and smothers wide receivers in coverage. The Notre Dame cornerback has good eyes and isn’t afraid to jump routes. He has the straight-line speed to stay attached to wide receivers downfield. He uses those long arms to be disruptive at the catch point. Hart played wide receiver in high school and showcased plus ball skills.
“If I were a general manager, I’d like his size,” Antonini said. “He reminds me a lot of Sauce Gardner with his close coverage ability and the way he uses size against all types of receivers. They didn’t start throwing in his direction until Benjamin Morrison showed up. His greatest strength is his length paired with his athleticism. There aren’t many 6 ‘2/6’ 3 corners that can run with any wideout. He showed out really well in press coverage and good instincts in zone coverage.”
Hart isn’t afraid of bodying up wide receivers downfield and that physicality shows up in run support. The Notre Dame cornerback won’t back down in run support. He closes downhill with burst and is a reliable open-field tackler. According to Pro Football Focus, Hart was charged with just four missed tackles this past season.
“Harts is not afraid to do the dirty work,” Antonini said. “He’s not afraid to blitz or cover even when he gets beat; he uses his large size and frame to his advantage, which is why he wins a lot of his reps.”
During his time at South Bend, Hart logged 281 snaps on special teams, including a career-high 109 snaps this past season.
Fit with the Packers
Alexander will start on the boundary and Nixon will be in the slot. Those two are locked in as starters in the secondary. The question is, who will start opposite Alexander when the Packers kick off the season?
If Stokes can stay healthy and put together a strong training camp, it will likely be the former first-round pick in the starting lineup.
It’s a safe bet that Gutekunst will want to add competition and potentially an insurance policy to the mix.
Hart is a large-framed athlete who has tools that can’t be coached. If the Packers miss out on a cornerback in the first two rounds, Hart could be a potential target in the third round or early on Day 3.
“I would draft Hart strictly off of his size and athleticism that goes along with his coverage skills,” Antonini. “He’s not afraid to be physical, which will be a huge asset in the pass and run game.”
A team can never have enough talented defensive backs. Hart passes the eye test with his size and athleticism. If he doesn’t see the field on defense as a rookie, he’d still make an impact due to his special teams experience.
