Cam Danztler Signing Adds to Texans Elite CB Depth

Sunday's preseason action saw a series of defensive highlights for the Texans ending with a Cam Dantzler interception, which ultimately tells the story of Houston's roster crunch, specifically at the cornerback position.
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If the Houston Texans' preseason finale gives any insight into what the next several hours will look like for the team's front office, the cornerback situation won't be easy to sort through. 

After signing former Minnesota Vikings corner Cam Dantzler less than a week ago, the Texans added another player into the fold competing for a limited number of spots. Dantlzer, Shaquill Griffin, D'Angelo Ross, Ka'dar Hollman and even Desmond King II all make up a Houston cornerback room that has immense potential. 

And they proved that Sunday evening. 

The first half of Houston's 17-13 victory over the Saints featured a plethora of pass break-ups and positive defensive plays, and while that's entirely a good thing, what made it better was the variety it came with. 

Hollman led the half with three pass breakups and Griffin notched a couple — not to mention the several other players who got in on the action who aren't cornerbacks. When the game came down to the wire, however, Dantzler was the one who sealed the deal for Houston, grabbing an interception with under a minute to play.

Even with limited time in Houston's system, Dantzler's heads-up play proved his adaptability as well as his talent — showing coach DeMeco Ryans exactly what he was capable of and why he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster. 

"It is all up to the guy when you get added to a team," Ryans said Wednesday of Dantzler's signing. "The roster is always evolving, and things are always changing. It is all about how quickly the guy can adapt to the scheme and what we are asking him to do. It is all individual-based. And there are a few guys who can thrive in that."

Dantzler is now one of those "few guys," especially if his practice effort reflects the obvious heart he plays with during games. And even though his interception was just one play, it was the most important of the game. 

He may have been added to "add a little depth" to the roster, but in just one week, he's not only proven to be worth much more than that, he's also accentuated Houston's elite talent at the cornerback position. If it isn't Dantzler who ultimately earns one of the last spots on the roster, it will be another player. 

Now, Houston faces a roster crunch situation. It has too many cornerbacks for not enough spots, and all with potential. But while that is an issue in its own right, for the Texans — who are looking to build the best roster they can ahead of Ryans' first season — that's a perfect problem to have.


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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a 19-year-old sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Missouri pursuing a degree in journalism with a sports writing and reporting emphasis, along with a sports analytics certificate. He serves as a staff writer and reporter for the SI/FanNation network covering collegiate sports, pro football and pro basketball.