9 things to know about new Bills CB Cameron Dantzler
Here are 9 things to know about new Buffalo Bills cornerback Cameron Dantzler, who signed as a free agent:
Good early
Dantzler was a third-round selection of the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. He played well as a rookie.
Pro Football Focus graded him the NFL’s best first-year cornerback. In addition, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team after allowing just a 41.9 passer rating when targeted.
A weird 40 time
Way back at the combine before even entering the NFL, Dantzler had… a weird circumstance. It’s likely why he fell to the third round.
Dantzler’s time of 4.64 seconds was one of the slowest 40 yard dashes by a defensive back. Then at his pro day at Mississippi State, he ran a controversial 4.38.
That’s a big difference.
Took to social media
Things then eventually soured in Minnesota. Players have had falling outs with former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and Dantzler was one of them.
Injuries played a part but in 2021 Dantzler lost his starting spot and became frustrated with Zimmer. Per Vikings Wire, he tweeted out: “I’m tired of biting my tongue about this whole situation fr…”
Eventually Dantzler went on to apologize for the message and said “that was just a young me, a little frustration.”
Nickname
Dantzler’s nickname growing up on the football field in Louisiana was “The Needle.” It was a pretty simple reason why.
“I was always skinny, and when I hit you, it hurt,” Dantzler told the Vikings’ website.
Released in Washington due to draft
Dantzler, 24, has not only played in Minnesota.
Well, he’s only played in games there, but briefly this offseason he signed with the Washington Commanders, which lasted only two months.
So what happened?
While it was never directly stated this is why he was eventually released, Washington drafted cornerbacks Emmanuel Forbes and Jartavius Martin with their first two picks in this year’s draft. That’s most likely why.
Emergency QB?
Dantzler is a Micah Hyde.
OK, he’s not a Pro Bowl defensive back. But once upon a time, Hyde was declared Buffalo’s “emergency quarterback” way back in the day because he previously had experience under center.
Maybe Dantzler is Hyde’s backup? In high school, Dantzler was a QB, rushing for 1,901 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior while throwing for 1,381 yards and 11 scores.
Game-sealing play
If Dantzler is in a position to make a heads-up play he will do just that.
Here’s one of his career highlights: A strip-sack in October 2022 against the Bears. Not only does he take away the ball, Dantzler gives himself up instead of risking losing the ball himself. Smart:
Cam called GAME 😤😤
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/3L24g1rjhS
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 9, 2022
Scray injury
The Bills know scary hits on a football field all too well. Dantzler had one of his own back in November 2020.
He was once stretchered off due to a hit to the head, but Dantzler was OK and he full body movement after suffering a neck injury:
Replay of the Cam Dantzler injury pic.twitter.com/1I2OeaURzY
— Sean Borman (@THESeanBorman) November 1, 2020
Dedicated 2022
Last season, Dantzler dedicated his season to a former fallen teammate. Tragically, former Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney, who moved onto the Arizona Cardinals, was killed in a car crash.
Dantzler told the Pioneer Press that he was playing with a heavy heart after Gladney’s sudden passing. The two were close playing in a secondary together.
“He was like my blood brother, my mother’s child. Everything I do (this season) for the first time, I’m doing it for him. Every good play, I’m going to point to the sky,” Dantzler said.
