Dalton Risner Linked to AFC Playoff Team
Fans might’ve forgotten him by now, but former Minnesota Vikings guard Dalton Risner still needs a job.
Free agent guard Dalton Risner has been linked to a potential landing spot with an AFC playoff squad. This is the latest buzz and what it could mean for Risner.
The standout pass-protection asset has encountered no luck in free agency, but if he plays his cards right, he could land in Houston with the Texans, according to Bleacher Report.
It’s the latest theory in a long offseason for the 30-year-old.
Dalton Risner Still Needs a Job
The Texans could evidently use some offensive line reinforcements.
Bleacher Report Names Texans as a Fit for Dalton Risner
BR’s Kristopher Knox sized up landing spots for the NFL’s best free agents left on the market, and for Risner, the Texans and Cincinnati Bengals got the call. Risner was previously linked to Cincinnati this offseason — by himself — but the Houston angle is new.
Knox noted, “Surprisingly, Risner remains unsigned in the late offseason once again. It’s surprising because Risner has been a fairly solid starter throughout his career. Though he left a little something to be desired as a run blocker last season, he remained one of the NFL’s better pass protectors.”
“Pro Football Focus graded him 13th among guards in pass-blocking for the 2024 season. Risner should interest pass-heavy teams like the Bengals, who could already be considering a new guard tandem in free-agent Lucas Patrick and rookie third-round pick Dylan Fairchild.”
Both the Bengals and Texans have pretty crummy offensive lines by a playoff team’s standards.
“Cincinnati has $32.6 million in cap space available and should consider making one last move to improve Joe Burrow’s pass protection. The Houston Texans could and should consider taking a look at the 30-year-old,” Knox further opined.
“Houston has thrown several darts at its new-look offensive line and, even with just $11 million in cap space remaining, could afford to throw another by signing Risner. Logical Landing Spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans.”
Texans Already Acquired a Vikings Offensive Guard
If Knox has it right, and Risner eventually ends up in Houston, well, he’ll encounter familiar competition.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded offensive guard Ed Ingram to Houston in March, paving the way for a geographical change of scenery for Ingram and a draft pick to Minnesota that was eventually used to acquire running back Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers via trade.
Risner almost certainly would be involved in a training camp and preseason competition with Ingram for the Texans — which is what he experienced last summer with the Vikings. Small world.
A Look at Houston’s OL
Without Risner, Houston is on deck to trot out this offensive line:
- Cam Robinson (LT)
- Laken Tomlinson (LG)
- Jarrett Patterson (C)
- Tytus Howard or Ed Ingram (RG)
- Blake Fisher (RT)
And if Cam Robinson looks familiar, it’s because he filled in for Christian Darrisaw last year in Minnesota when the Vikings swung an emergency trade for his services.
Yes, if Risner takes the plunge with the Texans, Houston could employ three offensive linemen from the 2024 Vikings.
Vikings’ Plan without Risner
Put plainly, Minnesota no longer needs Risner. It signed Will Fries from free agency — the top guard on the market during free agency — and drafted Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson in Round 1 three months ago.
For the first time in ages, the purple team doesn’t have lingering question marks at offensive guard, which feels like a dream come true for most fans. A Risner reunion in Minnesota, if in play at all, would be all about depth.
It’s a new day in the Twin Cities per offensive line emphasis, and for now, Risner isn’t part of the strategy.
More Risner Takes
Sporting News Travis Wakeman wrote about Risner last week, “Former Broncos offensive lineman Dalton Risner, a second-round pick in 2019, is still looking for his next place to call home. After four seasons in Denver, Risner spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. As teams around the league top off their 90-player rosters to take into camp, Risner remains unsigned.”
“That could be due to a combination of him looking for the right opportunity and there not being a ton of interest in him at this moment.”
Risner consistently faces challenges in free agency, often having to wait until late in the process to secure a new team. This isn’t new.
Wakeman continued, “He could sign with a team after camps open or even after the season starts, but an interior offensive lineman who has made 81 career starts and just turned 30 years old still has some good football in him and should be on a roster. The Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers are all teams that could make sense for Risner.”
“He may not be able to crack the starting lineup for many teams at this point, but he could certainly provide valuable depth and at the very least, should be in someone’s training camp to show what he still has.”
For what it’s worth, Risner should find a new employer relatively soon. This is just the usual process for him.
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