Minnesota Vikings: Redrafting the team’s 2020 NFL Draft class

Original Pick: Cameron Dantzler – CB (Mississippi State)

The Minnesota Vikings lucked into Cameron Dantzler in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. There was never any question about this guys’ skill but after the Combine, his slow forty-yard dash drew red flags. That was the major reason why Dantzler fell from a late first-round talent to the middle of the third round.

Dantzler was one of the stars of Vikings’ mini-camp and earned rave reviews for his tight coverage skills, sticking stride for stride with star Adam Thielen in practice. His solid play earned him a starting spot on the Vikings’ corner depth chart and he opened the year ahead of his brethren Jeff Gladney who was drafted at the end of Round 1.

Dantzler’s overall stats are impressive, despite missing a few games due to injury. The lanky corner is a textbook tackler and has amassed 26 in five games with two of those coming behind the line of scrimmage. While Dantzler still is inconsistent in his coverage, he is giving the Vikings a hell of an early return on their third-round investment.

Redraft: Dantzler

If the Vikings could do it again, they’d likely make the same choice as they did back in April. Dantzler has worked his way into being a starter and is already an impressive tackling corner who can come up and support the run. He is proving to be a steal in the third round and just needs to stay healthy for the remainder of the season.

While Dantzler will be up and down in his coverage all season long, the experience he’ll gain this season will be huge. It will allow him to head into 2021 with a much better idea and concept of how to slow NFL wide receivers.