Photo courtesy of @ camdantzler3 on Twitter
The first two years in the NFL were a roller coaster for Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler. Drafting in the third round in 2020, he surprised everyone by surpassing the cornerback Jeff Gladney made in the first round of the same draft.
Dantzler ended his rookie season on the 2020 All-Rookie team, a great achievement. The original roller coaster started last season, something Dantzler said while discussing his frustration with sitting behind a fighter Bashaud Brilland. It was often said last season that he was at Mike Zimmer’s doghouse for reasons that weren’t particularly clear.
Dantzler says his confidence is back and he is ready to show what he can do. During the offseason, Dantzler is gaining weight and the new Vikings are looking to impress the coaching staff.
Nickname Needle Because of its long and slender frame, it has always seemed necessary to add some weight to Dantzler for a long and successful career in the NFL. He weighed in at 182 pounds in his rookie season, while he weighed in at 185 pounds last season. He will reach 191 pounds at training camp this year.
Increasing growth over two years indicates that the weight gain has been done properly and that it has increased muscle mass. In his own words, he “keeps my body fit. I’ve used offseason to get better. I have a nutritionist. I’m gaining weight.” So hopefully, Dantzler’s game should have no effect on sharpness and speed.
The main weight of an NFL cornerback is around the 190-205 pound mark. Less than 190, and a player must somehow fill their lack of size. Over 205 and speed can be a problem, although if you can get a cornerback above that weight by playing heavy and fast, you have a real talent at hand. Xavier Rhodes was one of the Vikings when he was at his best.
In 191, Cameron Dantzler now enters that prime range for a cornerback. It should make for an interesting fight between himself and Rocky Andrew Booth Jr. for a starting point as opposed to veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson.
In an ideal world for the Vikings, Dantzler and Booth will improve this season and integrate the long-term future into the cornerback position. Playing with top-class experienced players like Patrick Peterson should give them that opportunity. Then, with Peterson’s time in Minnesota over, Dantzler and Booth will be ready to lead the team in this year’s first-round pick, Lewis Sean, as well as the media.
Realizing that scenario will probably give the Vikings a bright future to look forward to in that area of defense, as well as the emergence of security alongside Cameron Binam Sean.
Cameron Dantzler is gaining weight and, in all respects, a big bonus for the still sharp-looking Vikings. The battle of the camp between him and Booth should be fun to watch and should only serve to make both better. Secondary was such a big problem for the Vikings last season. This year’s outlook is already looking much brighter.
