3 Vikings heading into an extremely critical 2022 training camp

Cameron Dantzler – CB

As a rookie in 2020, Cameron Dantzler was one of the top performers during Minnesota’s training camp. Dantzler was making plays all over the practice field and he was impressing multiple veterans with what he was able to do in his first-ever NFL training camp.

But his performance from that summer hasn’t exactly carried over to the regular season during his first two years in the league.

Dantzler has been solid for the Vikings in his two seasons with the team. But he’s also given up plenty of head-scratching plays like when he gave up the game-winning touchdown to an 0-10-1 Detroit Lions team in Week 13 last year.

Overall, Dantzler has performed well for Minnesota. However, his mistakes always seem to come at the absolute worst times, and it’s led to the Vikings suffering some avoidable losses during the last two seasons.

This summer, Dantzler will need to prove that he is deserving of opening the regular season as one of Minnesota’s two starting cornerbacks. If the Vikings’ new coaching staff still has concerns about his decision-making during critical situations, then the starting job could be given to someone else.

If Dantzler doesn’t begin the 2022 regular season as part of Minnesota’s starting defense, then questions are going to be raised about how long he can remain in the NFL.