The cornerback group was looking rough without any established players in the mix. Therefore, Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer used a pair of draft picks to fill the position.
Once Struggling Vikings CB Eyes Redemption
A few picks after selecting Justin Jefferson, the Vikes acquired Jeff Gladney, an ultra-productive corner from TCU. He was joined by fellow rookie Cam Dantzler in the third round.
Dantzler quickly created some buzz for himself with strong training camp performances and an excellent rookie season. Viewed as the future of Minnesota’s CB room, he landed in the doghouse of three consecutive defensive play-callers.
Now, he’s attempting a comeback in the UFL. He signed with the Memphis Showboats in February.
His biggest splash came on Friday when he secured an interception and returned the ball to the endzone.
CAMERON DANTZLER PICK-SIX ‼️🔥👏
📺: FOX | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/PLMQV4Cat4
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) May 17, 2025
The Showboats edged out Kellen Mond’s (he was benched) San Antonio Brahmas 24-22 to clinch their second victory in a disappointing 2-6 season.
That record, however, isn’t Dantzler’s fault by any means. He has been fantastic. PFF has given him a season-long grade of 82.3, ranking third among eligible UFL cornerbacks. Dantzler has been targeted 12 times and allowed seven catches for 100 yards, zero touchdowns, and one pick. The allowed passer rating of 50.7 is absolutely phenomenal.
Like many players in the UFL, Dantzler hopes to return to the NFL level. At the age of 26, that surely is possible.
In March, he offered this message on social media: “God is great man, was in a bad mental space months ago but got thru it. I appreciate everyone who never gave up on me and stood by my side. God has given me another opportunity and can’t wait to take advantage of it.”
In 2020, when Minnesota’s CB issues began, a concussion cost him some games, but he started ten of 11 contests in his debut season. While most rookie CBs are liabilities, the Mississippi State product was solid, even impactful, often going against opposing top wideouts.
Entering his second season, folks thought he could be the next CB1 in Minnesota, Rhodes’ immediate successor. The Vikings then signed Patrick Peterson in free agency and later added Bashaud Breeland. Is the latter just depth or a potential threat for Dantzler? Shockingly, when Week 1 arrived, Dantzler was inactive and used social media to voice his displeasure, which his coaches certainly enjoyed.
Dantzler still played 14 games and started seven of them, but he was clearly not Zimmer’s top choice. He only logged extensive snaps when Peterson was hurt or after Breeland was cut. Ed Donatell arrived in 2022, and fans hoped Dantzler would escape the doghouse. He did not, playing in ten games and starting nine, because rookies Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans struggled to stay on the field. Later in the year, he was inactive multiple times.
The Vikings moved on in the 2023 offseason. Since then, he has had stints with the Commanders, Bills, Texans, and Saints. He couldn’t even last with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, who released him after a few weeks on their practice roster.
His only game action after the Vikings said goodbye came in New Orleans. The Saints played him in two games and nine snaps on special teams. That was in 2023.
The Showboats have only one more game remaining. There’s a good chance someone will invite Dantzler on a try-out basis to check if the once-talented defender can replicate his spring league success on the NFL field.
Don’t be surprised to see Dantzler in the news in the next few months.
