Tag: Cameron Dantzler

Touchdown Wire’s mock draft 4.0: Anticipating trades and surprises

In Touchdown Wire’s mock draft 4.0, trades alter the strategy of several teams, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at the heart of the action.

 

Cardinals address O-line, defense in four-round mock draft

They take Jedrick Wills in the first round and address their defense with their next four picks.

The Arizona Cardinals no longer have a second-round pick in the NFL draft because they sent it to the Houston Texans as part of the deal for receiver DeAndre Hopkins. However, they still have four picks in the first four rounds, as they have two fourth-round selection.

In Draft Wire managing editor Luke Easterling’s new mock draft, he goes four rounds and projects that the Arizona Cardinals will use three of their four selections in those four rounds to address the defense.

With their first-round pick, though, they address the offensive line. They select Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills.

After trading for DeAndre Hopkins, the Cards aren’t likely to spend a top-10 pick on another pass-catcher, no matter how much Kyler Murray might like to throw to CeeDee Lamb again. Instead, the Cards opt to improve the protection for their young quarterback. With D.J. Humphries back, Wills slides in as the immediate starter at right tackle.

Wills is a safe pick. The question is whether he would beat out a healthy Marcus Gilbert as the starter at right tackle.

He’s not a bad pick, but he isn’t an exciting pick by any means.

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Touchdown Wire’s mock draft 4.0: Anticipating trades and surprises

In Touchdown Wire’s mock draft 4.0, trades alter the strategy of several teams, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at the heart of the action.

NFL mock drafts can take on a variety of forms. You can see a predictive mock draft, where the author assembles selections based on what he or she expects to see happen. You can see a what I would do mock, where the author makes selections based on what they would do with each pick.

Touchdown Wire’s 2020 Mock Draft 4.0 for blends the predictive with the suggestive. While the majority of positions for each team are predictive, there are some suggestive elements based on scheme fit and potential usages for each player upon arrival in the league.

So sit back, pour your #QuarantineLife drink of choice, and enjoy.

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2020 NFL draft: Cameron Dantzler scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Mississippi State cornerback prospect Cameron Dantzler

Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State

Elevator Pitch

Dantzler is an enticing press-man cornerback with impressive length and ideal physicality who plays with good route anticipatory skills. He’s not a fantastic athlete, but he offers value as a boundary defender with solid starting upside at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 188

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you like length at the cornerback position, you’ll love Dantzler’s game.

A tall and lanky cornerback who possesses the height necessary to match up with ‘X’ receivers on the boundary, Dantzler brings plenty of physical upside. Despite being somewhat skinny for his height, he plays with impressive physicality. He packs a solid jab in quick-jam press coverage, timing and placing his strikes with precision and then executing them with force. That physicality is maintained through a receiver’s stem, and Dantzler also does a good job of fighting with his opponents to make sure he doesn’t get boxed out on 50/50 balls or route that break across the middle of the field. He is a feisty and competitive player who brings plenty of swagger at the cornerback position, which is an encouraging sign for his professional prospects.

Dantzler does a good job of anticipating routes and mirroring his opponents’ movements. He positions himself well to make a play on the ball and prevent receivers from attacking leverage points against him. He does a great job of sniffing out screens and has the closing speed as a tackler and the motor to accelerate downhill and blow up the play. His ball skills show up through his adjustments to the ball and his ability to attack the ball in the air, as well as his ability to attack a receiver’s hands to break up the pass.

Weaknesses

For the physicality and awareness Dantzler brings, he doesn’t have top-notch athletic abilities. He plays with solid fluidity in coverage, but he can be burned by double moves and has average deep speed when covering a vertical route. He can improve in his ability to sink his hips a bit more when he changes direction, and he can work on his burst coming out of his breaks in short-area situations. His 4.64 40-yard dash at the Combine was a bit underwhelming, too.

Dantzler could also improve as a tackler, as he doesn’t play with spectacular form or play strength in that regard. While he has shown effort in run support, his style of play combined with his lanky frame might make it tougher to consistently bring down ball-carriers at the next level. He could stand to add on a bit more bulk, as his frame is a bit too wiry at this stage in his career.

Projection: Day 2

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Colts’ 7-round mock draft: Late QB edition

What would a draft look like with a late-round QB?

The Indianapolis Colts made some big moves during the first week of free agency. From trading for a stud defensive tackle to signing a veteran quarterback to a one-year deal, those moves are likely to shake up the draft approach.

Though it is impossible to know for sure what the Colts will be thinking if and when the draft starts on April 23, we can run through some scenarios as to what those options might look like if they decide to use a certain process. For this, we will be taking the approach of a late-round quarterback after signing Philip Rivers in free agency.

Using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator, here’s a look at a full seven-round projection with the idea of taking a quarterback late:

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

No. 34 | Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State

Following the release of veteran cornerback Pierre Desir, the position has become a massive need. The Colts have to find a viable starter on the boundary to replace Desir, especially considering the rest of the room isn’t ready to be starters yet.

Dantzler is a sticky coverage corner who has length and height to go along with physicality that should intrigue general manager Chris Ballard. There is still plenty of work to be done in Dantzler’s game, but he’s a solid fit for a zone defense. He had five interceptions and 20 passes defended over the last three seasons at Mississippi State.

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Who did the Colts take in Draft Wire’s latest 7-round mock draft?

Colts go offense early in Draft Wire’s latest mock draft.

The new league year is still on schedule to begin next week as of now, but much of the focus is still on the upcoming 2020 NFL draft and what the Indianapolis Colts might do with their eight selections.

With the compensatory picks now officially in the draft order, the Colts now know exactly where they are going to be selecting from—barring a trade to add more picks. Our friends over at Draft Wire conducted a full, seven-round mock draft with the new order.

Here’s a look at how it turned out:

13. Indianapolis Colts | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State

One of the favorite choices for the Colts at No. 13. Though the range of outcomes for Love’s career is certainly something to keep in mind for this pick, the ceiling might just be enough to entice Chris Ballard. If he’s more of the quarterback from 2018 than from 2019, the Colts could have their future quarterback right here.

34. (from WAS) | Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado

Needing to add to the wide receiver room, there is a chance the Colts double-dip this offseason. Though free agency is essentially unpredictable, Shenault Jr. has a high ceiling and even though he had surgery to repair a core muscle injury following the combine, he’s likely still on track to be a Day 2 pick. Shenault Jr. has a prototypical X-receiver build and playmaking ability to back it up.

44. | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama

The defenisve tackle position is arguably the biggest need for the Colts this offseason. They should be expected to be a major player both in free agency and in the draft. Davis is interesting because his ceiling is so high, but there have been questions about his “loafing” and the fact that his production declined steadily over the last three seasons. The talent is there but tapping into it could be difficult.

75. | Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State

Cornerback isn’t a huge need for the Colts but it is an area they are likely to address. Pierre Desir had a down year and will be looking to bounce back while Rock Ya-Sin enters a promising Year 2 and Kenny Moore has become one of the top slot cornerbacks in the league. Dantzler would be competing for a spot on the boundary likely with Desir.

122. | Jason Strowbridge | EDGE | North Carolina

Some view Strowbridge as an EDGE prospect while others see him working more on the interior. He’s likely to do both at the next level and is a prospect the Colts could target as a developmental piece. He has solid agility testing in the 74th percentile in the 20-yard shuttle and would be a project for the Colts to compete in the rotation.

160. | Michael Onwenu | OL | Michigan

Onwenu’s strength and arm length are intriguing enough for the Colts to take a look on Day 3 but it isn’t clear if teams would want him to work on the interior rather than the edge. At 6-foot-3 and 344 pounds, that might be the move. He would be a developmental piece along an offensive line that sorely needs depth.

193. | Jalen Elliott | S | Notre Dame

Safety isn’t that much of a need but with Clayton Geathers likely hitting free agency, the Colts do have a spot open for that fourth safety role. He tested pretty well at the combine and would be competing for a roster spot. Special teams would be huge for him.

227. (from MIA) | Tyrie Cleveland | WR | Florida

This mock was done before it was known the Colts now have the No. 197 pick instead of No. 227. But it has been well-documented that Cleveland is a great choice for the Colts regardless. He’s extremely explosive, athletic and has the size to work both on the outside and in the slot. As Ballard targets high-upside players on Day 3, Cleveland should be at the top of the list.

Cowboys-centric defensive winners, losers from 2020 scouting combine

The defense took their turn over the weekend, but not everyone rose to the occasion, including one of the Cowboys’ top targets at safety.

Mere mortals spent the weekend running errands, going out with friends, sleeping in, and maybe enjoying a little downtime from work. For those looking to make a living playing defense in the National Football League, though, the stakes this past Saturday and Sunday were exponentially higher.

Defensive linemen and linebackers competed in their drills in Indianapolis on Day Three of the NFL Scouting Combine, while safeties and cornerbacks had to wait until the final day to show teams what they can do on the field. Representatives from Dallas were undoubtedly paying close attention, as the Cowboys’ defense in 2019 exposed several glaring weaknesses that need to be addressed heading into next season.

Here’s a quick look at who overperformed and who underdelivered in Indy.

Day 3 Winners

Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

Simmons is sure to be one of the defensive darlings from the 2020 Combine, and with good reason. The Clemson junior torched the competition with 4.39-second 40-yard dash, even beating the combine times of noted speedsters Derwin James (Chargers safety, 2018) and Jalen Ramsey (Rams cornerback, 2016). And remember, he’s a linebacker. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow said that Simmons was the single biggest thing he had to worry about in the national championship game. High praise, indeed. the 2019 Butkus Award winner didn’t even participate in drills in Indianapolis, but his freakish workouts will make him a blazing-hot commodity out of the Day 3 position group.

Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State

Gay may have been something of an under-the-radar secret before Indianapolis, but his weekend work at the combine assured that it’s not just the hardcore draftniks who know his name now. His bench press, broad jump, vertical jump, and 40 scores were all Top 5 for linebackers, and he demonstrated notably quick feet during drills. If there’s knock, it’s off-the-field issues; Gay has admitted to cheating on a chemistry exam in 2019 and getting an 8-game suspension because of it. He also reportedly got into a physical altercation with his team’s quarterback late in the season. But his combine numbers will help some team decide he’s worth taking a chance on.

Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma

Gallimore doesn’t move like a big man, but the 304-pounder ran the fastest 40 for a three-bill D-lineman since 2000. He went on to show incredible change of direction skills, impressive power, and quick feet every time he was asked. Gallimore was the top high school prospect coming out of Canada in 2015, and ended up leading the Sooners to a Big 12 championship as a college senior with a season that earned him third-team AP All-American honors.

Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida

Zuniga is known to evaluators as a player who’s shown flashes of greatness, but couldn’t do it consistently. Last year, he played just five games for the Gators due to an ankle injury. The redshirt senior needed a great combine. He had it. With good speed, a position-best broad jump, and a solid vertical score, Zuniga put himself in a much better light by the end of Day Three.

Day 3 Losers

Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

“Loser” is a harsh label to slap on the 2019 unanimous All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. But Brown has drawn early comparisons to NFL legends thus far, and his combine performance was just average at best. Some drills were legendarily poor; his 3-cone time was the fourth-worst in combine history. Of course, a subpar workout doesn’t make Brown a bust, but it could cause him to slip a bit in April’s draft and cost him some dollars on his rookie deal.

A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa

The junior had been a standout on the Hawkeyes defensive line since his freshman year, but his combine stood out in all the wrong ways. Once projected to be a first-round selection, the consensus now says his weekend’s lack of athleticism will drop Epenesa into the second round. There’s already talk of the 275-pounder needing to put on some weight in order to play at the pro level.

Day 4 Winners

C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida

The junior lit up the stopwatches in his 40-yard dash after impressing scouts with 20 reps in the bench press. He drilled well, too, showing off a nice catch radius. That will serve him well in the upcoming draft, since most of the concerns about Henderson are about his tacking abilities. They’re probably not serious enough to drop him out of the first round, though. And for some evaluators, it’s a nitpicky gripe about a true shutdown cover man who’ll be paid to do his best work to prevent catches, not clean up after them.

Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois

Chinn showed that the small-school guys can play, too. The safety’s broad jump was the second-best across all positions at the combine, and he wowed with most of his other drills, too. The Southern Illinois Saluki continued to attract big buzz following his invitation to the Senior Bowl. That could translate to a draft day leap for Chinn, of whom CBS Sports insider Jason La Confora says, “multiple teams… have a late-first/early-second grade on him.”

Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Okudah came in to the weekend as a near-lock to be one of the first players selected in April. His workouts did nothing to dampen that expectation, with excellent 40 times and vertical and broad jumps that were near the very top. The unanimous first-team All-American did go down awkwardly during a drill, though, and had to skip the rest of the Day Three events. The hit to his head/neck area isn’t expected to be much to worry about, but it cut short a superb combine performance.

Essang Bassey, CB, Wake Forest

The first thing most evaluators mention regarding Bassey is his lack of size. But during coverage drills, in Indianapolis, the Wake Forest product showed great hands and fluid movement that could well put the three-year college starter on track for a Day Two selection in April’s draft.

Day 4 Losers

Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State

Sharing the Buckeye secondary with Jeffrey Okudah is tough duty, but Arnette didn’t do much to shine on his own in Indy. After a wrist injury in college, he had returned to Ohio State for one more season in hopes of catapulting his draft stock, but a relatively slow (for his position) 40 time didn’t move him out of being projected Day Two pick.

Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

Speed kills in the NFL, but the lack of it can also kill a prospect’s chances of grabbing a first- or second-round look. Dantzler was once projected as a Top 5 corner in the 2020 Draft, but a 4.64 time in the 40 is going to make that tough to achieve. That comes after he skipped the team’s bowl game specifically to prepare for the draft. He’s tall and physical, but teams won’t like the fact that he couldn’t turn on he jets when he needed to. Dantzler may fall as far as the third round now.

Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

One of the Cowboys’ supposed top targets did not have a good weekend. The Crimson Tide junior came up limping at the end of his first 40-yard dash and had to withdraw from on-field drills. Still projected to be a first-round pick, McKinney will now have to wait until Alabama’s pro day to solidify his draft status.

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Who and what to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine: Cornerbacks

The Lions Wire staff has identified which cornerbacks Detroit Lions fans should be watching at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis but the cornerbacks won’t take the field until the final day of on-field drills — Sunday, March 1st.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, interior defensive linemen, EDGE rushers, and linebackers previews.

Cornerback traits to evaluate

There are several on-field drills that emphasize a player’s abilities and the main areas Lions’ scouts will likely be focusing for the secondary are:

  • Balance through the hips, watch when they’re asked to flip sides
  • Backpedal, quick feet
  • Fluid speed/acceleration when they change direction
  • Tracking with their eyes
  • Natural hands catching

Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt

If Chase Young (EDGE, Ohio State) is off the board and the Lions stay at pick No. 3, all the signs point to the Lions making a decision between Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn) and Jeffrey Okudah (CB, Ohio State).

Comfortable in press-man coverage, Okudah (est, 6-1, 200) is blessed with elite traits — burst, speed, strength, length — and the confidence required to be one of the best cornerbacks, not just on his team, but the entire NFL.

With Darius Slay’s future in Detroit in question and an immediate need for a starting corner, Okudah would fill a much-needed role this season, while also giving the team security for the future.

Trevon Diggs, Alabama

Suggested by: Bryce Rossler and Sonja Greenfield

The younger brother of Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Trevon is just as athletic as his brother and he uses his experience, size (est. 6-2, 202), and near-elite technique to achieve success in Alabama’s press-man scheme. After Okudah, this top-end corner class will feature another eight to 10 prospects capable of being selected in the first two rounds, and with the multitude of different schemes and player preferences, if Diggs is sitting there at pick No. 35, he should get heavy consideration from the Lions.

Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff

Another tall, long corner (est. 6-2, 183) who could hear his name called at the top of Round 2, Dantzler is flying under the radar nationally but fits the mold for what the Lions look for in a corner. With fluid hips and the speed to stay in a receiver’s hip pocket all over the field, Dantzler could start as a CB2 in year one with the upside to develop. He needs to gain weight, which in turn should help him with his tackling, but most of his flaws are fixable with coaching and an NFL weight program.

Jeff Gladney, TCU

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon and Derek Okrie

Gladney will be higher than Dantzler — and maybe Diggs — on some teams boards but he’s a full four inches shorter than both those prospects which will lose him some checkmarks on his evaluation sheet for the Lions. Gladney has terrific technique, noticeable quickness in mirrored coverage, great anticipatory instincts, and a physical nature that will appeal to most teams if they are comfortable with his size (est. 5-10, 183).

Bryce Hall, Virginia

Suggested by: Matt Urben and Ty Finch

Another corner expected to check-in at 6-2 at the Combine, Hall is comfortable in press and zone schemes, with his best attribute being his ability to use his foot quickness to close on the ball. Long speed will be a key measurement for Hall at the Combine, as his transitions can be delayed, forcing him into trail positions.

Stanford Samuels, Florida State

Suggested by: Zack Moran

Samuels — another 6-2 corner that fits the Lions’ physical preferences — is comfortable in press-man due to his physical nature, athleticism, and speed. Despite his physicality, he needs to improve his run support before a team like the Lions would consider letting him see the field. If the Lions are looking for another Day 3 corner with upside they can mold in the same manner they did with Amani Oruwariye, Samuels will be on their radar.

Lamar Jackson, Nebraska

Suggested by: Max Gerber

The Lions got a long look at Jackson during North practices at the Senior Bowl. He is big — yep, another 6-2 corner — long, physical, excels in press coverage, and has active hands which lead to pass breakups and turnovers. Jackson’s ceiling is as a CB2, as he appears to be limited as an athlete who can play vertically but lacks horizontal elements to his game at this time.

Lavert Hill, Michigan

Suggested by: Scott Warheit

A Detroit native, Hill (est, 5-11, 181) has drawn the comparison to former Wolverine and current Dallas Cowboys corner Jourdan Lewis since his first days on campus. He has started the last three seasons after taking over for Lewis, relying heavily on his quickness and ability to impact the run game. Those traits make him a natural slot option for most teams but he has the skill set to also contribute on the outside in specific situations, much like the Lions Justin Coleman.

Vikings draft CB Cameron Dantzler in PFF mock draft

In three years at Mississippi State, Dantzler has recorded five interceptions and was named All-SEC Second Team in 2018.

It’s no secret that the Vikings need help at cornerback.

That’s why a whole bunch of mock drafts have the Vikings taking a cornerback with the 25th overall pick.

One of those mock drafts is the newest one from Austin Gayle over at Pro Football Focus.

Gayle has the Vikings taking Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler in the first round.

Here’s what Gayle wrote about the fit:

Dantzler will get knocked in the pre-draft process for his slight frame. He showed up to Mississippi State’s campus at 160 pounds as a true freshman and has worked his way up to 185 pounds leading up to the Combine. He, however, makes up for what he lacks in weight with strong man coverage ability and ball skills. He’s aggressive at the line of scrimmage and can match-and-mirror with the best cornerbacks in this class. Also, a source close to the program said Dantzler could very well run in the low 4.4s and jump over 38″ in the vertical.

In three years at Mississippi State, Dantzler has recorded five interceptions and was named All-SEC Second Team in 2018.

If Dantzler, or any other cornerback, were to be drafted by the Vikings in the first round, there’s a good chance he’d be a day one starter opposite third-year corner Mike Hughes.

Seahawks address defensive line in latest Draft Wire mock draft

Draft Wire has their latest four-round 2020 mock draft, which has the Seattle Seahawks addressing their offensive and defensive line.

Now that the college football season is officially over, it’s time to start speculating on which college stars will find their way onto the Seattle Seahawks roster for the 2020 season.

Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling released his latest four round mock draft, which has the Seahawks investing heavily on the offensive and defensive lines – two key positions of need for this team if they want to make a Super Bowl run in 2020.

Here’s a look at each of Seattle’s four picks, and why they could be good fits.

Round 1, Pick 27: Solomon Kindley, OL, Georgia

Kindley isn’t being mocked in the first round very many places, but Seattle does have a history of making unconventional first round picks, so maybe this makes perfect sense.

Kindley is a hulking left guard – an area of need with Mike Iupati hitting free agency – although his mobility could use some work.

He’s more of a run-blocker than a pass protector at this point, another reason Pete Carroll could be interested, but unless he really impresses in the combine he’s probably not worth a first round selection.

Round 2, Pick 59: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

Dantzler has the requisite length (six-foot-two) to be a Seattle defensive back, and his previous experience at other positions gives him the versatility that coach Carroll craves, but he lacks physicality – often getting pushed around by bigger receivers.

Plus, he’s shown a tendency to get a little grabby on deep balls, which Seattle will want to avoid after seeing Tre Flowers cost them mightily because of that same issue.

Round 2, Pick 64: Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin

This is a very weak draft for EDGE defenders, so while it may be a surprise to see Seattle wait this long to grab one, it probably makes the most sense.

Baun fits what Seattle needs as a quick pass rusher off the edge with the versatility and strength needed to make an instant impact.

He isn’t much of a run stuffer, but Seattle will take a third down pass rush specialist at this point – they can always work him into an every down player in the future.

For now, if he can get to the quarterback, he’s worth taking.

Round 4, Pick 123: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

Blacklock only recently committed to entering the 2020 NFL Draft, but many believe he has the size and strength to go within the top 100, making him a nice pickup at 123 if Seattle can get him.

Blacklock was the BIG-12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2017, and showed great ability to get into the back field throughout his time with the Horned Frogs.

Seattle fans may be weary of taking a defensive lineman from TCU, but maybe reuniting Blacklock with L.J. Collier will get both of them going for Seattle in 2020.

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