Sam Hartman would make sense as the New York Jets look to select a developing quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The ideal landing destinations for each of the top quarterbacks selected in this year’s draft were forecast by ESPN NFL Draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid. Regarding Hartman, Miller projected that the quarterback from Notre Dame would be selected by the Jets in the seventh round.
Nathaniel Hackett of the Jets runs a West Coast style, and Hartman shown the accuracy, touch, and ball placement necessary to be a strong backup in that system, according to Miller. “Adding to the QB room on Day 3 is logical for New York, considering that Aaron Rodgers is 40 years old and the team was last in QBR last season (23.4) without him.”
Hartman isn’t the most exciting quarterback prospect, but he has a chance to play backup quarterback in the NFL for a long time.
In 2018, Hartman was rated as a three-star quarterback by South Carolina’s high school. The only colleges that made an attempt to recruit him were Wake Forest, Charlotte, and Elon; he received very few genuine offers.
Hartman was ultimately signed by the Demon Deacons, and it proved to be a brilliant commitment. His best season was in 2021, when he led the club to an 11-3 record with 39 throwing touchdowns. He was selected to the All-ACC team twice.
Prior to the 2023 season, Hartman moved to Notre Dame, giving him the opportunity to compete on a larger national platform. After throwing for 2,689 yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, he guided the Fighting Irish to a 9-3 record.
Hartman is still rounded out despite having a shorter frame than most QB prospects at 6’1″ and 211 pounds. Although he has quick reflexes and can hit receivers when they are open, his gunslinger mindset and erratic mechanics cause him to make poor throws and departures.
Nevertheless, Hartman has more than enough experience to adjust to the NFL swiftly having started 57 collegiate games.
There are currently many quarterbacks on the Jets’ roster. That does not imply that the organization should give up on finding a reliable, long-term backup for Rodgers.
Tyrod Taylor will probably start at quarterback this year. He agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $18 million, with incentives related to playing time that point to his serving as the backup. But Taylor is only likely to be a temporary backup option at 34 years old.
