The Vikings have utilized a new-look defense this season, which means young and inexperienced players have taken on big roles.
That hasn’t always looked good. Minnesota has let opposing quarterbacks pick its defense apart at times. However, there is a silver lining to playing younger players: they get better.
In Cameron Dantzler’s case, that’s definitely true. Dantzler has dealt with some rookie growing pains and injury problems in his first NFL season, but he’s also made some big plays.
Against the Jaguars he had an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. On Pro Football Focus, his overall grade is 68.0. That’s not stellar, but it’s not terrible either. That mark ranks him 37th among qualifying players at his position on PFF. He hasn’t always looked perfect, but Dantzler seems to be adjusting to the NFL.
Dantzler said that everything from the hashmarks on the field to the wide receivers’ tendencies are things that he had to get used to in the league. He recently talked with reporters about how far he has come in his first NFL season:
“My preparation,” Dantzler said on what has gotten different since he arrived to the Vikings, per the team’s Twitter account. “Having veteran guys, like Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris, those guys, they taught me a lot on how to prepare for NFL games. … I just got better and better, each and every week and started showing my game.”
Dantzler has had his ups and downs, but the third-round pick is already starting games and showing flashes of promise. If he keeps improving, the Vikings may have just found a solid corner in the draft.