The Ottawa Redblacks released DB Brandin Dandridge to pursue other opportunities following a very strong 2021 season. Now Dandridge marks the second player Ottawa has lost to the NFL. Having lost return specialist and wide receiver Devonte Dedmon to the Miami Dolphins.
Dandridge attended college at Southern Missouri which may have put him on the map for the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2019. He however wound up in the CFL spending three seasons with Ottawa. In 2019 playing just 4 games he racked up 12 tackles. Deciding to stick with Ottawa following the 2020 season being cancelled.
In 2021 he had an odd statistical season. He managed just 11 tackles on defense, 4 interceptions, and 1 special teams tackle. This was despite playing just 8 games. KC is getting a 5’11 183 lb cornerback best suited for the nickel back role.
Given their relative lack of depth at cornerback it’s definitely worth taking a flier on the 25 year old whose only professional experience has come at the CFL level, despite the fact that he has played in just 12 games over the two seasons he was active for. It makes me wonder if he would even have been signed if not for his performance in 2021. Regardless this should be a popular move in Missouri where the Chiefs reside if the home town kid does make the roster out of training camp.
The Chiefs up until week 7 were allowing 7.1 yards per play, which was so historically bad it actually eclipsed the record for average yards per play by the most prolific offense in history. When you spend any stretch of time playing that poorly, you need to try and improve talent in the secondary. Signing Dandridge is a low risk, potentially high reward signing, that isn’t without precedence in the NFL.
Fellow Cornerback Brandon Browner failed to make the NFL in 2005 and 2006 spending time with Denver’s practice squad both years. In 2006 after being cut by Denver once again he left for Canada, signing with Calgary. He would spend 5 seasons in the CFL all in Calgary. He would be named a CFL All Star 3 times and win a grey cup in 2008.
He racked up 68 games, 196 tackles, 12 into, and 8 forced fumbles before being signed by the Seahawks in 2011. He immediately made a pro bowl, playing 3 seasons with Seattle winning a Super Bowl. He left for New England in 2014 and won another Super Bowl. By 2016 he was out of the NFL with an impressive resume considering his brief time in the league.
I’m not saying Dandridge is Browner, but 23 tackles and 4 ints in 12 games professionally is enough to turn heads and earn him a shot. The Chiefs also head into the off-season with two starters at CB, and a total of 5 DB’s headed to free agency. One of which is slot cornerback Mike Hughes, another being The honey badger who often plays the slot as well. He may have a real shot at making the active roster out of camp.
Below you can find a highlight film from 2021 posted by Brandin himself on youtube. Go toss him a like and subscribe so more people see what this kid can do.
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