Cameron Dantzler Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’-2”
Weight: 188 pounds
School: Mississippi State
Cameron Dantzler 2020 NFL Draft Profile
After three years with Mississippi State, cornerback Cameron Dantzler is skipping his final years of eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL Draft. The cornerback steadily improved during each and every year of his collegiate career and ended on a high note. In 2019, Dantzler played 434 snaps and allowed just 14 receptions for 29 targets for 222 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Dantzler initially entered the collegiate ranks as a three-star recruit out of Louisiana. After receiving offers from Texas Tech and Utah, Dantzler eventually settled on Mississippi State. Dantzler saw a supporting role in 2017, playing in 255 snaps and allowing just five receptions on 16 targets for 103 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. In 2018, he proved he could maintain his impressive play in a larger role. Seeing the field for 620 snaps, Dantzler ended the season allowing just 22 receptions on 51 targets for 237 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Strengths
- Press corner capable of getting in a receivers face without getting beat over the top;
- Ideal arm length, height lets him break up more passes against taller receivers;
- Despite his height, still capable of moving laterally at an acceptable level;
- Only one touchdown allowed in his career, per PFF;
- Above-average ball skills and sense for when the pass is coming;
- Held up well against top competition.
Weaknesses
- Not enough muscle for the position and needs to bulk up;
- Has the size to match any receiver but can lose at point of attack to stronger guys;
- Can be too handsy in his coverage, which could lead to flags at the next level;
- Footwork has some room for improvement;
- Below-average tackler.
NFL Comparison: Dre Kirkpatrick
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins
Projection: Round 2
Bottom Line on Cameron Dantzler
Cameron Dantzler has a lot of the traits you love to see in a cornerback prospect. Finding someone that plays press coverage at a high level is a rare commodity in the NFL, yet Dantzler consistently answered the call during his time at Mississippi State. The 6’-2” cornerback had the height to match up against anyone and the lateral agility to hold his own against smaller, quicker receivers. He’s rarely out of position and doesn’t get beat on any sort of regular basis. While he’s at his best in man, he can also play zone at an NFL level.
The only thing keeping Dantzler out of the first round is his weight. At 188 pounds, Danzler simply doesn’t have the density to consistently match up against NFL size and strength. He can be in a position to break up a pass, but NFL receivers are going to be too strong and will beat him at the point of attack. He could theoretically add some muscle, but he runs the risk of losing some of his downfield speed and lateral agility. It’s something of a Catch-22 and makes him slightly too risky to take in the first round. However, he’s a great second-round prospect with the first-round upside. If he adds on the weight without losing any of his speed or agility, some team is going to be very happy they rolled the dice on him.
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