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After losing their top three cornerbacks to free agency or roster cuts this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings could use some reinforcements at the position, and they’ve found some early in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Cameron Dantzler
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Date of Birth: 3 September 1998 (21 years old)
College: Mississippi State University
Drafted: Round 3, #89 overall
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 188 pounds
Career Accomplishments: Second-team All-SEC (2018)
Twitter handle: None
With the #89 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected cornerback Cameron Dantzler from Mississippi State University.
Dantzler entered the NFL Draft early, declaring after his junior season in Starkville. Dantzler was a Second-team All-SEC performer as a sophomore, a season in which he was one of just for SEC defensive backs to not allow a touchdown pass, according to Pro Football Focus. For his career with the Bulldogs, he had five interceptions and 25 passes defended.
Jordan Reid of The Draft Network has Dantzler listed as his #12 cornerback and the 74th ranked player on the Big Board in his Draft Guide. Here is his evaluation of Dantzler.
In his current state, Dantzler’s technique is ready to be an NFL starter, but his body is not. Needing to add muscle mass to a lean frame, he must continue to add weight throughout the duration of his career. Already having the requisite traits from a technical standpoint, his maturity as a press man corner and tackler are NFL ready, but because of his body stature, he will need to be eased into game action. The ingredients for the product are already contained within his game. He needs the proper coaching and surrounding environment in order to reach those possible levels. If able to blend all of those traits together, Dantzler has the upside to become a starter, which makes him a likely top-60 pick.
Hopefully some time in an NFL strength and conditioning program can help Dantzler reach his potential, since Jordan seems to think his technique is already there.
Welcome to Minnesota, Cameron Dantzler!