That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t also be considering cornerback candidates. Aaron Schatz, creator of DVOA, called the position out as a problem earlier this summer. For now, the MN Vikings are rolling with the hype of Jeff Okudah as the veteran to round out the group.

They have also seen familiar faces sign elsewhere. Xavien Howard is no longer a reunion candidate for Brian Flores, and Cam Dantzler has a job again now too.

Cam Dantzler signs with Miami Dolphins

After being released by the MN Vikings following the 2022 season, Cam Dantzler played just two games with the New Orleans Saints in 2023. He has bounced around on multiple different contracts since then, but hasn’t stuck anywhere. Waiver by New Orleans in January, he signed with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday.

NEWS: The Miami #Dolphins are signing @USFLShowboats CB Cameron Dantzler, source says (also reported by @uflanalyst).

Cam was a standout in Memphis this past #UFL season.

Former #Vikings third round draft pick makes his way back to the NFL. #UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/qAaENfRVT8

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) August 19, 2025

Dantzler is still just 26 years old, although he turns 27 on 9/3. It took him time to find favor and trust with Mike Zimmer, but it was eventually established and he started 26 of the 35 games across his Vikings career.

With Minnesota Dantzler recorded three interceptions and 17 passes defensed. He forced three fumbles, recovering two, and recorded 149 total tackles.

There isn’t much time for Dantlzer to show what he can do as the preseason wraps up this weekend. Former Minnesota Gophers defensive back Ethan Robinson is also in camp with the Dolphins. Only veteran Mike Hilton is cemented in a starting role and that leaves head coach Mike McDaniel searching for answers.

It’s funny how ppl assume my past with other teams haha but God I thank you for another opportunity.🙏🏽 #FinsUp

— Cam Dantzler (@camdantzler3) August 20, 2025

It will be interesting to see if this is the roster that Dantzler can crack and ultimately earn his way back into the good graces of the NFL.

The #Vikings have waived CB Cameron Dantzler, Sr. pic.twitter.com/zcOCIVyNTT

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 10, 2023

The Vikings have been busy today, saying goodbye to Adam Thielen and re-doing the contract of Ross Blacklock. Meanwhile, reports have been going back and forth on what’s in Harrison Smith’s future. Kwesi still needs to cut $6.7 million out of their 2023-24 salary cap picture (according to OverTheCap) before March 15 when the new league year begins.

One thing is certain, the 2023-24 Minnesota Vikings are going to look a lot different than what they have for the past handful of seasons.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Garrett Bradbury to Start vs Giants

Starting center Garrett Bradbury, who has been out for the last three weeks with a back injury, is off the injured list and will start this weekend. This is huge news for an offensive line that is already missing All-Pro right tackle, Brian O’Neill. Blake Brandel will start in O’Neill’s absence.

O’Connell said Garrett Bradbury will be full-go for the game. He will start at center, O’Connell said.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) January 13, 2023

Harrison Smith Expected to Play

That wasn’t the only important injury update that Kevin O’Connell brought to his presser on Friday. He was also asked directly about Harrison Smith, who is listed as “questionable” on the final injury report, with a knee injury.

KOC wasn’t willing to go quite as far on Hitman’s status for Sunday but did say he expects him to go as long as there aren’t any weird setbacks between now and then.

“I don’t have any reason to believe [Harrison Smith] wouldn’t be there but he’ll go in questionable just in case. We’ll see how he turns over from some good work today. I’m excited to get Harry back out there if everything goes according to plan.”

Kevin O’Connell – Friday Press Conference

Cam Dantzler is questionable, after missing all week due to a personal matter. Kene Nwangwu is also questionable.

#NYGvsMIN final injury report

QUESTIONABLE: Cam Dantzler, Kene Nwangwu (illness) and Harrison Smith

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 13, 2023

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

After the game, Dantzler was asked about his thought process, as he closed in on Smith-Marsette during that play. Cam was blunt about the insider knowledge he had on his former teammate. If anybody was going to give up the football in that situation, he knew it would be ISM. So, Dantzler went for the football and the rest is history.

Cameron Dantzler on his game-winning strip of Ihmir Smith-Marsette: “We kind of had intel that he’d be loose with the ball.” #Vikings

— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) October 9, 2022

The Minnesota Vikings waived Ihmir Smith-Marsette (2021 5th-round pick) after trading for Jalen Reagor at the end of August. Now we know one of the reasons why.

Cam Dantzler made a huge play and he should feel good about it. But, he and the Vikings defense needs to play better going forward. They haven’t created enough pressure and play too soft of coverage. Ed Donatell’s switch to a 3-4 defense hasn’t produced results. Hopefully, that changes soon.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

It wasn’t just tackling where the former Boston College standout excelled, while holding down the middle linebacker position for the Carolina Panthers. Luke Kuechly collected 18 interceptions, 12.5 sacks, forced 7 fumbles and recovered 9 of them, during his 8 seasons. If anyone is qualified to give an opinion on NFL defense, it’s Kuechly.

Kuechly Loves Vikings Secondary

So, when the future hall of famer gets on ESPN and tells the world that the best NFL secondary in 2022 is that of the Minnesota Vikings, we should believe him… right?

Here’s the clip of Luke Kuechly labeling the Minnesota Vikings with the best secondary in the NFL.

Luke makes some good points, but will the Vikings fulfill this statement? pic.twitter.com/damBcLqYbZ

— Vikings Central (@VikesCentral) May 11, 2022

“I’m gonna kind of go a different direction. I’m gonna go with the Vikings. Harrison Smith, Patrick Peterson and two young rookies; Lewis Cine out of Georgia and they draft [Andrew] Booth, out of Clemson. I think, when you talk about young guys coming into the league, I think the one important thing is, ‘where do they learn from and who do they learn from’?

You learn from two guys that have played at All-Pro levels for such a long time in Patrick Peterson and Harrison Smith. I’m excited to see young with some old. Patrick Peterson, great ball production. Harrison Smith, kind of a two-way player, can play in the run game and has also had some great ball production in his career, with interceptions and forced fumbles.”

Luke Kuechly (SportsCenter)

Let’s Pump the Brakes

It appears that Luke Kuechly showed up to this segment, prepared for a different question. Maybe, ‘What NFL defense could be underrated and end up surprising us in 2022?’ Either that, or I need some of whatever he’s eating and or smoking during lunch.

Kuechly might be right on Harrison Smith. Entering his 11th season at age 33, The Hitman is yet to show his age and continues to disrupt at all levels of the defense. But, father time is undefeated and the Vikings drafting Lewis Cine tells us they’re preparing for Smith’s decline.

At 32, Patrick Peterson is already far beyond his prime and the advanced metrics over at PFF shows it. Still, quarterbacks prefer to avoid him and he’s certainly still a positive on the field, but especially off of it. P2 has become one of the vocal leaders in a Minnesota Vikings locker room that needed veteran leadership.

Dose of Reality

On a good secondary laden with talent, both Smith and Peterson would be great glue pieces, even later in their careers. A defense where Harrison could feel comfortable roaming around, picking and choosing his opportunities like a lion constantly on the prowl. Maybe a defense where Pat P. could lock onto an opponent’s second-best WR all day, slowly crushing his personal moral.

But on the Vikings’ defense, both veterans will hold responsibilities that require them to perform at the top of their games. That, while babysitting and raising young, unproven talent around them. Patrick Peterson will match up against the best receivers in the league, week in and week out. A responsibility he’s no longer fit for. Smith will be tasked with raising and keeping track of Lewis Cine, while simultaneously making up for mistakes that He (Cine), Cam Dantzler, Andrew Booth and Harrison Hand will undoubtedly make.

Could Cine and Booth catch on faster than most rookies who fill out secondaries throughout the NFL every year? It’s possible, but given their draft slots at No. 32 and 34 respectively, the odds are against that happening. Chandon Sullivan, who was acquired in free agency, is an average slot CB. Cam Dantzler and Harrison Hand have both struggled to show growth through two seasons.

Trying to Imagine…

Yes, the last couple of paragraphs took a more pessimistic view of how 2022 could play out. But after the 36 seconds you watched of Luke “I Love the Vikings” Kuechly, it was warranted. It’s likely that reality lands somewhere between the two extremes (but probably closer to mine).

I just can’t force myself to imagine a 2022 NFL where the Vikings roster what is considered a top secondary. But I certainly hope that Kuechly is right and this blog, come December/January, proves my lack of football knowledge. Because a top secondary would completely change the prospects for the Minnesota Vikings’ upcoming season. Show me a great secondary at US Bank Stadium this fall and I’ll show you a Super Bowl parade in downtown Minneapolis come February.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Oh, that was before the front office traded Mike Hughes to Kansas City for next to nothing and before they released 2020 1st round draft pick, Jeff Gladney, after he was indicted on domestic abuse charges.

But Zim perked up when Rick Spielman swooped in to save the day by signing established veterans, Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland and former Viking, Mackensie Alexander.

And the Minnesota Vikings 2021 season lived happily ever after, right? Haha, good one.

Through 3 weeks PP has been put in a blender that went viral twice. https://t.co/udhltNYIRy

— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) September 26, 2021

The DK Metcalf TD allowed by Bashaud Breeland pic.twitter.com/erSlW58CXT

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 26, 2021

Bashaud Breeland’s play has been very concerning and surprising. #vikings pic.twitter.com/mBJoUNUUex

— Ali Siddiqui (@asiddiqui15) September 24, 2021

The numbers

So, numbers can lie and are often used to paint a specific artist’s perception. But there are some numbers that just can’t be run away from. Bashaud Breeland, for example, is the NFL’s 100th-ranked cornerback by Pro Football Focus. PFF “only” ranks 100 cornerbacks. If you’re not catching on, that’s last place out of 100 other CB’s. That’s not a list you want to be at the bottom of. Yet, there’s Bashaud with a big Vikings logo right next to him.

Part of the reason Breeland’s numbers are so bad is because opposing teams continue to pick on him day in and day out. That must mean they’re afraid of Patrick Peterson, who man’s the other side of the field, right? Maybe.

But should they be? P2 has been thrown to just 13 times total, in the Minnesota Vikings first three games. Unfortunately, according to Pro Football Reference, opposing QB’s have completed 10 of those passes, one of them for a touchdown. That 77% completion allowed is by-far the worst of his career.

With those numbers, quarterbacks won’t be avoiding Peterson for much longer, even if they’re busy taking advantage of Breeland.

Bashaud Breeland and Patrick Peterson this season:

34 targets
28 receptions
439 yards
6 TDs
157.2 and 157.9 passer ratings allowed pic.twitter.com/K1sqI1YtBz

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 29, 2021

Zimmer doesn’t care

No matter how bad Bashaud Breeland looks to the rest of the world or how sick his grades and numbers make is feel, Mike Zimmer doesn’t seem to care. The only dude he continues to go after during press conferences is the only cornerback who’s exceeded any sort of expectations since joining the Vikings.

Cam Dantzler was drafted by Rick Spielman in the 3rd round (#89 OVR) of the 2020 NFL Draft and he stuck out to media and those inside the organization as soon as he hit the field. He and fellow draftee, Justin Jefferson, were the stars of Training Camp later that year.

Dantzler went on to start 10 games as a rookie for the 2020 Minnesota Vikings’ and wasn’t always great. Mistakes should be expected when a CB is a rookie playing in Mike Zimmer’s system.

But since the first time Zimmer stepped to the microphone at the start of 2021 training camp, he’s been taking not-so-subtle shots at Cam about his mental and physical toughness or his supposed unwillingness to play special teams.

Grow up, kid.

But social media posts like this, after a massive team win, is why Dantzler is a big part of the problem and why more people aren’t jumping on Zimmer.

The Vikings got their first win but it doesn’t seem everyone is happy. Here’s what Cam Dantzler tweeted after another game with few snaps. pic.twitter.com/vgJKAy4cAI

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) September 26, 2021

Timing is everything and taking to social media at that moment was a terrible idea. It got deleted after about 20 minutes but screenshots live forever. But if you’re still reading this blog, you probably understand why Dantzler is upset.

Cam hasn’t even gotten enough reps to register a ranking at PFF but his overall grade of 70.5 is pretty damn good and way higher than either of the current Minnesota Vikings starters. We aren’t sure how he’d do with more playing time but at the end of the day, can he be any worse than Bashaud Breeland, the worst CB in the league? Probably not.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

All personalities have their own way of capturing audiences. Fleck brings fire, Zim and Guerin bring honesty and Finch brings an ability to teach and deep dive his philosophies.

Stronger Dantzler?

Early this afternoon, it was Mike Zimmer who held his daily training camp presser at TCO Performance Center in Eagan and his pointed candor was on full display. While Mike’s transparency is great for us… it’s unlikely Cam Dantzler feels the same way. Not after Cam hears about this exchange between the Minnesota Vikings head coach and Courtney Cronin (ESPN), who asked if the 2nd-year CB looked any bigger/stronger than he did last year.

Hey Zim, Cam Dantzler looks quite a bit bigger and stronger than he did last year. Your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/FUhXlnGBv4

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) July 29, 2021

Cronin (ESPN): Is Dantzler where he needs to be physically? He looks a lot bigger this year…

Zimmer: “He’s a little bit bigger. You know, he’s still got to get in the weight room and things like that. He came off the field way too much last year. So, you know, if he gets a couple hits on him, he’s gotta stay the heck out there and go compete! But he did some good things yesterday, as I said before.”

“I guess, you know, the biggest thing, and I’m not just talking about Dantzler specifically, but some of those guys got a chance to play last year. Adding some of these other guys, I feel like the depth should really help us on special teams. Some of these guys that played last year won’t be — knocks on (wood) podium — probably won’t be playing first and second down but they should be playing a lot on special teams.”

Not the first time, won’t be the last

Mike Zimmer may or may not apologize to Cam Dantzler after this latest podium plastering but that won’t stop it from happening again. This is who Mike Zimmer is. He successfully holds himself back at times but it’s in his nature to answer questions as honestly as possible.

As long as he’s in a good mood.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

What a difference a year makes, eh Mike? Last offseason around this time, and for another 3 months until week one kicked off, Minnesota Vikings fans and media listened to Coach Zimmer’s calm demeanor when addressing his sudden lack of depth and veteran presence at the cornerback position. Unfortunately, his confidence (borderline cockiness) didn’t pay off when regular season passes started flying.

The #Vikings pass defense ranks 30th in the NFL this season pic.twitter.com/vjuojjhmVW

— Adam Patrick (@Str8_Cash_Homey) September 28, 2020

The secondary’s struggle bus should have been foreseen as it came around the bend, last summer. The Vikings’ front office, whether planned or not, cut their entire starting CB group loose in one fell offseason swoop. The exodus included all three starters, Xavier (don’t call him “Zavier”) Rhodes, Trae Waynes and (nickel) Mackensie Alexander. All three CB’s were drafted and raised by Mike Zimmer and all were given time to learn one of the league’s more sophisticated defenses, before being turned loose against the best quarterbacks and wide receivers in the world.

Don’t know what you’ve got till it’s…

How much cornerback experience was let go last offseason? Rhodes, Waynes and Alexander had combined for 16 years, 233 games and 160 starts in Zim’s secondary. Rhodes was an all pro in 2017 and has gone to three pro bowls since 2016.

To replace all of that production, Rick Spielman drafted two cornerbacks, Jeff Gladney and Cam Dantzler, in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft. When healthy the two rookies were thrown into the fire, starting 25 of 27 games between the two of them. Dantzler started 10 of the 11 games he was available to play and Gladney started 15 of 16.

The results weren’t pretty. By the end of week 17, Mike Zimmer’s defense was 25th in passing yards allowed, 23rd in passing touchdowns allowed and 30th in net yards per pass play. It was a season of clear embarrassment for a head coach who has built his reputation in the defensive secondary.

Learning from mistakes

But as human beings, learning from mistakes is a large part of growth and the 2021 offseason has proven that the Minnesota Vikings front office has grown from their disastrous secondary of 2020. Rick Spielman has had veteran CB’s on his mind throughout free agency, first adding future hall of fame cornerback, Patrick Peterson, before welcoming Mackensie Alexander back with open arms and then signing another starting-caliber veteran, in Bashaud Breeland.

Vikings went from Dantzler, Boyd, Chris Jones, & Gladney to Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breedland, Dantzler, and Mack Alexander.

wow.

— Spencer Thompson (@ThompsonNFL) June 4, 2021

Now, the Vikings secondary will enter the 2021 season with Peterson, Breeland, Dantzler and Alexander. On paper, that group makes last season’s bunch look like 3rd graders playing football during 5th grade recess. But, football games aren’t played on paper and there are still plenty of unknowns for this new Minnesota secondary too.

Patrick Peterson | 30-yrs-old | 154 Games

Patrick Peterson will be 31 by the time training camp gathers in August. To be blunt, Peterson’s been mediocre (or worse) for two seasons, allowing QB Ratings around 99.0 and completion percentages over 65% when targeted in 2019 and 2020. Those aren’t the numbers that launched Peterson into the NFL’s top-20 players from 2015-2017.

But while in Arizona, even if the results didn’t warrant it, PP was shadowing the opposing team’s #1 receiver. That’s something only taken on by the league’s elite and if you aren’t up for the assignment, you’ll be exposed just like Peterson has been recently. Zimmer won’t ask him to be a younger version of himself.

The Minnesota Vikings hope less responsibility, a change in scenery, a new system, and a (sort of) new number will be the exact rejuvenation Patrick Peterson’s career needs. The sudden stack of depth in the purple secondary should help that cause

Mackensie Alexander | 27-yrs-old | 68 Games

Mackensie Alexander is back in Minnesota Vikings purple after one season away at Cincinnati. Mack didn’t really skip a beat while gone, though he did allow a completion percentage that almost hit 70%, nearly 5 points higher than his career average before that. Still, QB’s held an 82.3 passer rating when they targeted Alexander, which is right on point with where he was in Minnesota. Mack will take over the Nickel CB position, the same spot he held down before leaving.

Bashaud Breeland | 29-yrs-old | 94 Games

Bashaud Breeland will compete with Cam Dantzler for a starting spot opposite Patrick Peterson. Breeland’s career numbers tell us he’s highly underrated and that Dantzler has his work cut out for him. As far as Vikings fans are concerned, this is beautiful music softly beating on eardrums.

In 2020, QB’s completed just 50% of the passes they threw vs Bashaud Breeland for a petty QB rating of 78.3. Dantzler allowed a 92 QB rating last season, along with a 63.4% completion.

One thing is for sure, Vikings fans should feel a lot better about their team’s secondary entering 2021 than they did in 2020.

Vikings corners this year:
Patrick Peterson
Breshaud Breeland
Cam Dantzler
Mackensie Alexander
Harrison Hand
Jeff Gladney

Just slightly better than last year

— Josh Mensch ???? (@JoshMenschNFL) June 5, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Vikings are rostering last week’s best defensive player, according to Pro Football Reference. In fact, Cameron Dantzler has been this team’s best cornerback for the last couple of weeks.

Mike Zimmer wanted Dantzler in the offseason’s draft, not only because of his promising talent, but also because of his ideal size as an outside CB in Zim’s defense. He’s 6’2″ and listed at 188 lbs on the Vikings’ website.

That makes him the perfect size to cover some of the taller deep threat wide receivers that exist around the NFC. You have Davante Adams in the North but there’s also guys like DeAndre Hopkins now in Arizona and 6’5″ Mike Evans in Tampa.

Every RT is a #ProBowlVote for @MikeEvans13_ ‼️ pic.twitter.com/cEYqxLo2SF

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 6, 2020

Dantzler vs Evans

I’ve been thinking about this all week. I really think it’s more likely that Mike Evans gets shadow treatment from Cam Dantzler, than not.

Evans is strictly an outside guy and Cam is strictly an outside CB. Dantzler also has 3 inches on the next tallest cornerback, who isn’t used only for emergencies.

If I’m Mike Zimmer, I also want to see how big my stud rookie CB’s balls are. You read that right. We all know how much Zim likes big balls. Let’s find out how good Cam really is. Let’s see if he can play #1 CB for a game.

Cameron Dantzler matching up on Evans slots Gladney on Brown or Godwin on all occasions, too. Those matchups also make a ton of sense.

No matter what, the Minnesota Vikings secondary is going to be tested by the abundance of talent in the Bucs receiving core. Throw Gronk in too… and I really struggle to figure out why Tom Brady isn’t playing better.

A lot of Bucs Twitter hates him though, that’s for sure.

Everybody pray for mike evans and his family???????? there’s nothing wrong with him he just has Tom Brady throwing to him pic.twitter.com/m1TcuX80oZ

— Clyde???? (@Clyyde_) December 12, 2020

Mike Evans has NEVER had a football season with less than 1000 yard since he started playing football, (College + NFL)

Mike has never finished with an less than 13 Yrds Per Rec, EVER

Mike got a 1000 yrds as a ROOKIE with Mike and Josh under center, but won't get there in 2020???? pic.twitter.com/azVIbDqj5Z

— "Tree" – Ken Peartree ????+????????+????????+????????=???????? (@KfromFLA) December 12, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Vikings somehow pulled out a victory vs the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and Cameron Dantzler was a big part of that. Cam forced a fumble, recovered that fumble and caught the first interception of 2020 among Vikings CB’s.

“The Needle” didn’t just make a difference in the old-school box score though, he came in as Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated defensive player of week 13 (93.0).

PFF's Week 13 Top Performers ? :
Offense – Aaron Rodgers
Defense – Cameron Dantzler pic.twitter.com/vFbqoT4EMo

— PFF (@PFF) December 8, 2020

Cameron Dantzler’s 93.0 PFF grade is the highest by a #Vikings cornerback since 2016. He gave up just one catch on seven targets and forced two takeaways. Incredible game by the rookie from Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/6JKMZOXo2N

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 7, 2020

I’ve given Rick Spielman a lot of grief for not drafting Antoine Winfield Jr in the last NFL Draft but all of his early 2020 picks look like hits, so far. That includes their young corners, both 3rd-round pick Cam Dantzler and 1st-round pick Jeff Gladney.

Set at CB for future?

They’re two very different CB’s. Cam is tall and lanky, resembling the prototypical outside cornerback, while Gladney is shorter, stockier and definitely likes to hit people more than “The Needle”.

Overall, Dantzler’s been the best-looking new CB since training camp and PFF agrees. Dantzler ranks as the NFL’s #28-graded cornerback (2nd among rookie CB’s) this season. Gladney ranks #94 (10th among rookie CB’s).

Mike Zimmer was asked about Dantzler and… well he’s Mike Zimmer. I think Cam is pretty good, even without the extra weight. But like Zim, I hope Cam continues to improve as he gets bigger and gains more experience.

Zimmer thinks he has his future set at CB so hopefully he’s right.

“Honestly, [Dantzler] continues to get better. Last week he made some plays on the ball, this week he had an interception and caused a fumble. I do think in time, with some more strength and a little bit more weight added on, he has a chance to be a good player because he does a lot of good things that people don’t notice when the ball isn’t going to him.”

“Gladney is playing well too. Hopefully we’ll be set at corner for a while.”

Mike Zimmer (via SI)

Watching these young defensive backs grow up has been difficult at times. In the long run, the move to get younger in the secondary looks like it will payoff. If the Vikings can find the playoffs this season, then you can’t even call it a “rebuild”. Better production out of Gladney would really be the icing on the cake.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan