We Finally Have Some Dalton Risner Steam
The Minnesota Vikings parted ways with offensive guard Dalton Risner in free agency, as his one-year contract had expired. For the third straight offseason, the veteran blocker failed to attract suitors early in the process, which is why he is still available and looking for a new employer. On Monday, there was finally some action in the Risner news.
We Finally Have Some Dalton Risner Steam
It was Jordan Schultz who announced via social media on Monday that Risner would visit the Cincinnati Bengals one day later. His post: “Sources: The #Bengals will be hosting veteran G Dalton Risner on a free agent visit tomorrow. Risner has started 81 games in his career. Cincinnati has been looking for interior offensive line help.”
The Bengals have tried to upgrade their offensive line ever since Joe Burrow walked into the building in 2020, but the success has been fairly limited.
“The #Bengals have quietly been active in the free agent market, recently adding TE Noah Fant and flirting with the OL market. Risner would bring a ton of experience. He just turned 30 years old,” Schultz added.
Whether Risner would fix their problems can be questioned, but he has been reliable as a pass protector over the years, and with Cincinnati’s high-flying offense, he might actually be a decent fit.
Risner’s free-agent adventures have turned into an annual classic, for some reason. Most free agents of his caliber find work in a day or two and move in March. In 2023, the Vikings hired him after Week 2, and last year, they waited until May 31st.
In June, Risner proclaimed in a video with John Gruden: “We’ll see where we are this year. I’m not sure where it’s going to be. I can play center. I can do it all. I can snap. I’ll play tackle, guard, you name it.”
In his first stint with the Vikings in 2023, Risner replaced Ezra Cleveland at left guard, which allowed the Vikings to trade Cleveland to Jacksonville to recoup some draft capital before losing him in free agency. Last year, he replaced right guard Ed Ingram after finally returning from a back injury mid-season. In college, he also added right tackle and center to his resume. Versatility is, indeed, a strength.
When sending that resume to potential employers, he undoubtedly wants to include his PFF scorecard.
- 2019: 64.4 (32nd/83 eligible guards)
- 2020: 61.3 (49th/80)
- 2021: 68.5 (28th/82)
- 2022: 61.1 (42nd/77)
- 2023: 57.1 (46th/79)
- 2024: 68.1 (22nd/77)
Risner isn’t a Pro Bowler, but he’s a serviceable starter or outstanding backup, and he has played on relatively cheap deals in the past. The veteran has yet to break the bank for NFL standards with roughly $14 million in cash, which included his four-year rookie deal in Denver and a pair of bargain contracts in Minneapolis.
His grades are driven by the pass protection, while his run-blocking leaves some room for improvement. Still, the veteran should probably start for someone considering the struggles many teams have on their front.
Chris Roling of Bengals Wire wrote about the potential newcomer: “The Bengals signed Lucas Patrick in free agency and drafted Dylan Fairchild to compete for starting guard spots, but injury woes and poor showings by the former have created a major need. Risner, 30, was a second-round pick in 2019 who spent 2023-2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, appearing in 10 games with eight starts last season.”
It’s been a strange offseason for the Bengals, who have not yet given Trey Hendrickson, the engine of their poor defense, a raise, and the negotiations with their top pick, Shemar Stewart, were also rough.
Roling added, “Bengals coaches such as Zac Taylor have admitted the guard battle in front of Joe Burrow has underwhelmed this offseason, so looking outside the team for help like this makes plenty of sense.”
The Vikings, meanwhile, will enter the upcoming season with a revamped interior blocking unit. Rookie Donovan Jackson joined in April, after the club had already addressed the interior by signing Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in free agency. The decision-makers hope that the new group can solidify the protection for J.J. McCarthy and help elevate the running game.
Risner turned 30 last month. In 2023, the Vikings hosted him on a comparable visit in training camp, but waited about a month to sign him. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.