Jaguars: CB Cameron Dantzler should be trade target before deadline

The Jacksonville Jaguars could use some help at cornerback, and they don’t need to wait until next year to address the position. The Jags could trade for Cameron Dantzler before the deadline on November 2nd, as he could be available. Just recently, the second-year cornerback popped up in Bleacher Report’s 2021 Trade Big Board.

Kristopher Knox believes Dantzler can be had at the right price. The 2020 third-round pick was a healthy scratch in the Minnesota Vikings’ first game of the season and didn’t play a single defensive snap in their Week 4 matchup, which prompted Dantzler to post a rant on social media, “I’m tired of biting my tongue about this whole situation fr (for real)”. He followed it up with an explanation, clarifying that he wasn’t talking about football but rather his personal life. He ended up deleting both messages.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer then said he would talk to the cornerback about his behavior. Dantzler then missed Minnesota’s Week 5 matchup after being placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list. The other side of the coin is that the Mississippi State product has been pretty productive when he’s been on the field, allowing just three receptions on nine targets for 33 yards. He’s also posted Pro Football Focus overall grades of 70.5 and 74.5 in Week 2 and 4, respectively.

David Lombardi of The Athletic reports the San Francisco 49ers have already inquired about Dantzler, and Knox thinks that teams dealing with injuries at cornerback should give the Vikes a call. Here are the aforementioned posts that forced Zimmer to talk to him.

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to kick the tires on Cameron Dantzler.

Dantzler had a pretty productive rookie campaign, appearing in 10 games with 11 starts and logging 46 total tackles, three tackles for a loss, four passes defensed, and two interceptions. This season, he’s already registered six pass deflections even though he’s just played in 27 percent of the Vikings’ total defensive snaps. Regardless of the reasons, things haven’t gone the way the sophomore cornerback expected, and he could benefit from a change of scenery. That’s where the Jaguars come in.

Rookie Tyson Campbell has been dealing with a toe injury, and Jacksonville can’t afford to be without him again. Chris Claybrooks started in his place in Week 5 with less-than-stellar results. Also, Tre Herndon is struggling after missing the first few games of the season with an MCL injury.

Other than Shaquill Griffin, who is playing at a high level, the Jags’ are lacking talent at cornerback and their depth at the position is suspect. That’s why it would make sense to trade for Dantzler. After all, the Louisiana native is in the second year of his rookie contract and just turned 23. Moreover, the Vikings won’t likely as for much in return, maybe a fourth or fifth-round pick selection.

The Jaguars are in rebuilding mode, so it wouldn’t make sense to trade for an established corner. On the other hand, acquiring a young building block like Dantzler would make sense. If the pairing ends up not working, the team’s brass can simply waive him next offseason. Simply, the benefits outweigh the risks.