The NFL is a copycat league, as the phrase goes. It would be interesting to watch whether other NFL teams take a chance on college quarterbacks late in the NFL draft, especially with former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy scheduled to start in the Super Bowl on February 11.
Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire for USA Today took that Pittsburgh Steelers scenario into consideration for his most recent mock draft.
Sam Hartman, the quarterback for Notre Dame, was selected by Popejoy to the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Hartman has a lot of experience, but the video demonstrates that he can make every throw, has good accuracy, and can throw a deep ball very well,” wrote Popejoy. “Hartman excels when working on-the-go because he is also athletic.”
Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network enumerated a number of reasons why Hartman is not expected to be a highly sought-after candidate in this year’s draft. Cummings countered that he may develop into a strong pick on Day 3.
Hartman doesn’t quite have the necessary operational profile to make up for his age and lack of elite physical attributes, which will limit his range as a 2024 NFL Draft potential, according to Cummings. “However, he could field an investment as a passer with long-term quality backup potential in the late Day 3 range.”
A prolific quarterback in college football history, Hartman spent six seasons with Wake Forest and Notre Dame. Upon graduating from college, he had 15,656 passing yards, 134 touchdowns, and 49 interceptions.
Hartman completed 63.5% of his passes for 24 touchdowns while averaging 8.9 yards per attempt for Notre Dame in 2023.
