Potentially lost amid the offseason news cycle of OTA’s, the loss of Dalvin Cook, a potential Danielle Hunter trade, and Justin Jefferson’s contract watch was the news that the Washington Commanders recently released CB Cameron Dantzler. He’s now been released twice in less than three months, which begs the question: what happened?
Originally a third-round pick by the Vikings out of Mississippi State, Dantzler played with unusual toughness for a cornerback with a slender build. Earning the nickname “The Needle,” his weight played a factor in his draft stock falling, with NFL analyst Lance Zierlein noting, “stringy build is who he is,” but his game tape showcased an aggressive play style and above-average skills in press coverage.
Despite previous Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer’s reputation for hesitating to play rookies, Dantzler shined in his first NFL season. The Mississippi State product racked up 46 tackles, one forced fumble, four pass breakups, and two interceptions in 11 games. For those who care about PFF scores, he ranked well at 20th out of 70 qualifying corners. His rookie year was, unfortunately, at the beginning of the Vikings’ defensive decline, but Cam Dantzler was a reason for optimism about the future and a potential turnaround.
The following season, he featured far more snaps for Dantzler. He only played in 14 games due to injury, but he still managed eight pass break-ups and an interception. However, his play could have been more consistent, giving up a few big plays every few games, which is typical for a young cornerback developing in a league increasingly reliant on passing.
Dantzler was widely expected to be a starting CB alongside longtime veteran and future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson for the 2022 season. PFF’s Sam Monson declared him the Vikings’ “secret superstar,” citing his impressive play and long-term potential. Unfortunately, these expectations didn’t translate to consistent on-field results. The Vikings’ defense finished the season ranked 31st, a significant disappointment despite a surprising 13-4 record under first-year coach Kevin O’Connell.
Pre-draft concerns about his frame seemingly materialized as he missed even more playing time in 2022, mainly due to an ankle injury. But even when healthy, his play became more erratic. He did secure a key victory against the rival Bears with an incredible strip fumble of former Viking Ihmir Smith-Marsette in October. However, he also allowed opposing quarterbacks to achieve a passer rating of 100.4 and an average of 8.4 yards per attempt when targeted.
While the defensive scheme implemented by now-departed defensive coordinator Ed Donatell certainly deserves some blame for the team’s overall defensive struggles, Dantzler couldn’t consistently live up to the expectations of fans and coaches. The result? He was cut early in the offseason on March 10th, leaving the Vikings with (at the time) four corners on the roster, a clear indication of the coaching staff’s waning faith in his long-term potential.
Despite being picked up by Washington very quickly after his release from Minnesota, Dantzler was rereleased before June after only two weeks of OTAs. He recently signed with the Super Bowl contender Buffalo Bills, a team with a solid defensive unit and a proven system. Dantzler has shown flashes of brilliance, showcasing the capabilities to be an excellent cornerback. However, consistency has been a significant hurdle throughout his young career. Many fans and analysts wonder how a promising young player with seemingly high potential fell out of favor quickly.
It’s disappointing that a potential franchise cornerstone cornerback didn’t pan out in Minnesota. However, fans can only hope that the rest of the Vikings’ revamped secondary performs more admirably moving forward. Minnesota’s newly drafted cornerback Mekhi Blackmon also has a more petite frame (weighing under 180 lbs.), and fans anxiously await to see if history will repeat itself for this young, aggressive defender.