5 trades John Lynch, 49ers should pursue at 2021 trade deadline
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers trade for Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler
Not all of John Lynch’s moves have to be purely from the “selling” vantage point.
One of the 49ers’ biggest woes this season has been the play of their secondary, and trying to bank on veterans like Josh Norman and Dre Kirkpatrick to fill the void left by injured starter Jason Verrett hasn’t worked. And while it’s far too premature to completely give up on the two rookie corners, Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir, it’s looking more and more like Lynch will have to invest some NFL Draft capital in this position awfully soon.
Why not get a jumpstart on that process now by trading for a young-but-proven commodity?
The Minnesota Vikings have all but placed second-year pro cornerback Cameron Dantzler in their own proverbial “doghouse” a year after he was named to Pro Football Focus’ 2020 All-Rookie team.
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Dantzler, who had two interceptions, four pass breakups and a forced fumble last season, has seen just 43 percent of defensive snaps through Week 7 and doesn’t seem to have anywhere near the value Minnesota originally had for him.
But that doesn’t mean he lacks value overall.
Even for a Round 3 pick, Dantzler would immediately be a better option than anything the Niners could hopefully land in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the second-year pro would still have two seasons remaining on his cheap rookie contract.
Perfect for a plug-and-play starting option.