Why the Chargers selected CB Cam Hart

Cam Hart gives the Chargers a lengthy cornerback on the outside for defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

With the 140th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected Notre Dame cornerback Cam Hart. Just three picks after taking Maryland cornerback Tarheeb Still, the Bolts double-dip at a premium position to quickly fill their cornerback room with new blood.

On the face, this was a decent steal based on a number of draft pundits who believed Hart was going to come off the board sometime in the fourth round. He offers excellent length at 6’3 and a smidge over 200 pounds. His performance at the NFL Combine was pretty dang solid with a 4.50 in the 40 and a 39.5-inch vertical to go with a 10’10 broad jump.

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter covets lengthy cornerbacks so we all know he’s probably pumped about this pick. Hart has great traits and it’ll be up to the defensive staff to make sure he can reach his ceiling. Despite the length and explosiveness seen in his athletic testing, Hart was not often able to find himself in the position to take the ball away. He needs to find a way to put it all together and there’s a chance he can do that with his position coach in LA who also spent time with Hart in South Bend.

Hart had one of his best games against Ohio State where he did a respectable job of keeping Marvin Harrison Jr. in check by his own high standards. While he can play big in coverage, Hart will have to play bigger in run support to keep his value high to to the Chargers.