Unsigned Viking Headlines FA Market
The Minnesota Vikings, barring injuries, will floss their best offensive line in years this September, possibly the most formidable group since the late 1990s or mid-2000s.
Unsigned Viking Headlines FA Market
Accordingly, the franchise has not re-signed veteran guard Dalton Risner, who remains in the NFL’s marketplace.
And according to Bleacher Report, Risner is one of the top NFL free agents left on the board.
Dalton Risner among NFL’s Top FAs, Says Bleacher Report
BR’s Kristopher Knox nominated the league’s 10 best free agents available, and Risner checked in at No. 8 ahead of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Elijah Moore.
Knox wrote, “Veteran guard Dalton Risner can’t seem to find a permanent home. The 29-year-old spent the last two seasons in Minnesota on one-year deals, but he may not sign with the Vikings for a third time after they used their first-round pick on Ohio State interior lineman Donovan Jackson.”
“Risner isn’t an elite run-blocker, but he has been solid in pass protection. Pro Football Focus graded him 13th among guards in pass-blocking for the 2024 season. He’s also been fairly durable, though he did miss seven games early in 2024 due to a back injury.”
The Vikings employed Risner in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024. On both occasions, he wiggled his way into the starting lineup and played decently.
Knox added, “In Risner’s other five NFL seasons, he never played fewer than 15 games. While the Kansas State product will turn 30 in July, he’s still young enough to be viewed as a multi-year starter. Risner should interest teams that need guard depth, run a pass-heavy offense and aren’t eager to thrust a rookie into action.”
He then listed the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans as the top landing spots for Risner.
Vikings Reunion Possible but Not Probable
Like the last two offseasons, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could still re-sign Risner, adding him as a depth piece in 2025.
In 2023 and 2024, Risner entered the mix as backup, too, but took over in 2023 because of Ezra Cleveland‘s injury, and earned a promotion over Ed Ingram in 2024.
Another perk of a would-be Risner reunion? He’s always affordable. His contracts never even remotely break the bank.
Risner to Miami?
Risner could be on his way to the Dolphins, Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson opined earlier this month.
He tweeted, “On his weekly segment on WSVN-7, Drew Rosenhaus — asked about Dolphins OL — mentions he has free agent Dalton Risner. He was PFF’s No. 22 overall guard last season and would make a lot of sense. Dolphins OL coach Butch Barry coached him in Denver. .. Another FA guard would be helpful so Miami can focus on DT and CB in draft.”
And Athlon Sports‘ Jordan Woodson wrote before the draft: “The Miami Dolphins are widely expected to address their offensive line during the 2025 NFL Draft. They need at least one interior starter to complement free-agent addition James Daniels, while offensive tackle could also be an issue.”
“With various needs across the roster, one prominent South Florida sports agent believes the Dolphins should fill their need at offensive guard by signing one of his clients.”
Miami drafted Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiianaea in Round 2, but it’s unclear if he’ll play tackle or guard for the Dolphins.
Woodson added three weeks ago, “Although Risner is entering his age-30 season, he could be an underrated addition to Miami’s offensive line. While he may not be a long-term solution, signing him would allow the Dolphins to concentrate on addressing other needs like defensive line, cornerback, safety, and maybe even left tackle.”
The Vikings’ OL Totally Set without Risner
This is the Vikings’ offensive line without Risner:
LT: Christian Darrisaw
LG: Donovan Jackson
C: Ryan Kelly
RG: Will Fries
RT: Brian O’Neill
As a starter, Risner is emphatically not needed.
The Skinny on Oft-Rumored CB for Vikings
The Vikings have been a popularly rumored destination for free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
Knox wrote about his free agency after ranking him No. 2 on the list: “There’s a reason why some teams may have been hesitant to target Asante Samuel Jr. before the draft. He dealt with stinger issues that limited him to four games in 2024, and those stinger symptoms have been a persistent ailment that the cornerback was ‘born with,’ according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. So, medical checks will be important. However, Samuel is still a 25-year-old cornerback who has been tremendously effective when healthy.”
“Samuel allowed an opposing passer rating of 87.4 in coverage last year and has allowed an opposing passer rating below 100 in all four of his NFL seasons. He logged 35 pass deflections and six interceptions in his first three seasons.”
Some credible reporting has suggested this week that the Vikings will not sign Samuel Jr because of the injury bug.
Knox concluded, “While most cornerback-needy teams should have some level of interest in Samuel after the draft, those willing to take a chance to add long-term secondary help would make the most sense. Samuel should be favored by teams in the rebuilding process that didn’t land a corner early over draft weekend.”
Risner will turn 30 in July.
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