Big Board ranking: #40

Positional ranking: #9

 

Overview

Position: CB

College: Notre Dame

Class: Senior

Age: 23

 

Measurables

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 202 lbs.

Arm length: 33”

Hand size: 9 3/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.50 sec.

10-yard split: 1.57 sec.

Vertical jump: 39.5”

Broad jump: 130.0”

Bench press: 11 reps

3-cone drill: 7.12 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.24 sec.

 

Strengths

Outstanding size and length. Exceptional speed for a bigger cornerback. Fluid hips and overall movement skills. Stays low and ready to move. Quick feet for his size. Poised and confident. Tremendous strength. Very smooth and comfortable in cushion coverage. Rare pouncing quality in coverage at his size. Excellent plant-and-break acceleration. Great instincts and feel for route spacing in zone coverage. Easily closes off in-breaking when giving a cushion. Has shown an ability to jump shorter in-breaking routes. Very smooth in the side shuffle. Terrific ability to mirror releases out of press coverage. Uses an effective fake jam move. Quick and efficient opening up to run. Able to flip his hips in succession to stick with opponents. Length is disruptive without grabbing when the ball is in the air. High intelligence and calls things out before the play. Tries to punch at the ball if he allows a reception. Very willing to come up and chop opponents down on the outside. Will poke at the ball to force fumbles. Shows aggression and strength taking on blockers. Plenty of experience at both left and right cornerback. Has seen snaps in the slot. Played excellent versus top competition in 2023.

 

Weaknesses

Sometimes caught flat-footed and falls behind a receiver going vertical. Needs to avoid grabbing when he feels he’s beat. Limited ball production with two career interceptions.

 

NFL comparison

Martin Emerson Jr.

 

Conclusion

Overall, Hart is a big and smooth cornerback that often thrived playing cushion coverage but also has tremendous upside in the press. He should be a candidate to go early in the second round considering his skillset, confidence, and play versus top opponents.