Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman received an opportunity to compete at this year's Senior Bowl. Hartman earned the invite to Mobile after enjoying another strong season in 2023. The Charlotte, North Carolina native threw for 2,689 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing a personal-high 63.5% of his passing attempts.
Hartman consistently improved throughout his six-year college career. Hartman is a smart, accurate quarterback who throws with terrific anticipation. An advanced processor that scans through his progressions, the Davey O’Brien semifinalist is an excellent pre-snap processor that understands how to defeat coverages. Hartman has high-upside backup quarterback potential. With that in mind, we've identified three fits for Hartman in the 2024 NFL Draft.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Will Joe Flacco return to the Browns in 2024? Doubtful. Flacco has announced his intention to continue playing after salvaging the Browns' campaign in 2023, a mid-season rescue after Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury that concluded with the Browns securing a playoff spot despite the lackluster circumstances.
Flacco's comeback story tugged on our heartstrings, but the Browns have a ton of capital invested in Watson. General manager Andrew Berry can't afford a rift in the locker room or fan base via a quarterback controversy. Every Watson incompletion would result in chants for Flacco, the 2023 hero. Flacco also probably prefers to join a team that doesn’t have so much guaranteed money tied up in their starter.
Berry currently possesses five day-three selections. A backup-type quarterback could be drafted to push Dorian Thompson-Robinson in training camp. New Browns pass game specialist and tight ends coach Tommy Rees will have paid close attention to what Hartman achieved at Notre Dame in 2023 after previously coaching at the program for six seasons (2017-2022).
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Hartman could push Patrick Mahomes in training camp (kidding). Chiefs backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert is set to witness his contract expire in March. The aging Gabbert could consider retiring after winning his second Super Bowl on Sunday. A long-term No. 2, the Chiefs would likely welcome Gabbert back if he decides to continue his playing career, but we're awaiting word on his future.
If Gabbert rides into the sunset, Chiefs GM Brett Veach could attempt to draft Mahomes' next backup signal caller. The Chiefs currently possess two fifth-round selections, and don't be shocked if they add additional day-three picks along the way. With a roster as loaded as Kansas City's, Veach could afford to use a late-round selection on a quarterback like Hartman.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Sam Darnold is scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency in March. Darnold bet on himself by choosing the 49ers last offseason, thinking he'd receive an opportunity to start if Brock Purdy's elbow injury lingered into the regular season. Darnold's gamble didn't pay off, and he'll likely search for a more advantageous situation elsewhere.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan appreciates quarterbacks like Hartman. After all, his player-friendly scheme has been a Godsend for Purdy, another quarterback prospect with physical limitations who was viewed in a similar lighting to Hartman throughout his own pre-draft process. In need of a new clipboard holder, Shanahan will likely think highly of Hartman's ability to dissect opposing defenses pre-snap.
