Grading the Minnesota Vikings selections in the 2020 NFL Draft

Cameron Dantzler – CB (Mississippi State)

Grade: C-

This pick was more than just a reach, but it fills a need for the Vikings. There were more talented corners than Cameron Dantzler still on the board, but there’s a good reason why Minnesota took him where they did.

He’s a Mike Zimmer-type of corner. He’s tall, long, and he brings the type of physicality at the point of the catch that Zimmer will love to have on this defense. He also has some ball-hawking hands, he’s very good at anticipating routes, and at understanding route combinations.

He doesn’t have the athleticism nor the skill to play strictly man coverage which is why it seemed a bit early to take someone like Dantzler in the third round, but he’s very good in zone.

He can man the other outside corner spot that the Vikings are missing with the departures of Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes. Dantzler is going to have his share of growing pains, sort of like Minnesota saw with Waynes early in his career. If Dantzler is willing to learn from some of the best defensive coaches in the game, he could turn out to be a solid corner.