Dalton Risner Spills the Beans
In two consecutive seasons, offensive guard Dalton Risner found a way to wiggle into the Minnesota Vikings’ starting lineup.
Dalton Risner Spills the Beans
In 2023, guard Ezra Cleveland fell injured for a few weeks, and Risner swiftly grabbed his roster spot. The Vikings later traded Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last season, Risner entered the mix when Ed Ingram hit the bench. Ingram was traded to the Houston Texans earlier this offseason.
Now, some have wondered if Risner will return for Year No. 3 in Minnesota, and according to him, the answer is maybe — probably on a dinker contract.
Risner Says Vikings Want Him Back — Sort Of
Risner used social media to update his free agency this week: “Minnesota has shown interest in bringing me back, but only to an extent. I mean, they went out and signed a guard for a lot of money, so it has to be the other side of the ball, and Blake Brandel is a heck of a football player.”
“So. I don’t know what their plan would be with me, but if they’re willing to work with me, I’m willing to work with them, because I love Minnesota so much.”
Risner often peels back the curtain on social media, revealing candid updates about his free agency. In fact, he always seems to marinate on the open market longer than most.
When the veteran lineman said, “To an extent,” about the Vikings’ interest, that’s a pretty obvious translation to a smaller contract than Risner would prefer. Either that — or the Vikings are not offering a sure-fire starter’s job.
Risner’s Tenure with Vikings
Risner has performed somewhat admirably in Minnesota during the last two campaigns, specializing in pass protection, while showcasing mediocre run-blocking. The Vikings would like to find a guard who can “do both” and not be pigeonholed into a one-trick pony.
Janik Eckardt of PurplePTSD.com, a sister site to VikingsTerritory, wrote about Risner this week: “Risner is a strange item in the NFL world because he is a starting-caliber offensive lineman, and there should be interest in him. For some reason, he keeps struggling to find work and has to settle for cheap deals in Minnesota, long after most free agents signed deals. His PFF resume isn’t bad by any means.”
This is the Pro Football Focus skinny:
- 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)
Eckardt added, “Risner is a decent pass protector, but is not nearly as strong in run blocking, which could be a no-go for NFL teams, although it should be noted that worse guards are trotted out there on a regular basis.”
Vikings Guard Options without Risner
Suppose general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used the upcoming draft for a left guard. Early-round options include Grey Zabel (North Dakota State), Tyler Booker (Alabama), and Donovan Jackson (Ohio State).
In the middle rounds, players like Jonah Savaiianea (Arizona) or Tate Ratledge (Georgia) could do the trick.
Otherwise, after the draft, veterans like Will Hernandez, Brandon Scherff, and Shaq Mason are unsigned as of April 17th.
Rubbing Teams the Wrong Way?
This week, PredominantlyOrange.com‘s Lou Scataglia claimed Risner might rub teammates and coaches the wrong way, an explanation for his unemployment at this point in the offseason. Risner played for the Broncos from 2019 to 2022, and Scataglia covers the Broncos.
He wrote, “Ever since Dalton Risner left the Denver Broncos, the unit has turned into one of the best in football. The team trotted out a starting five of Garett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, and Mike McGlinchey in 2024, and it’s likely that the starting five remains the same into the 2025 NFL Season.”
“Risner is from Colorado and likely wanted to be drafted by the Broncos, and if that is the case, he got his wish. He’s not yet 30 years old and is at the very least an average player at a hugely important position. It is a bit odd that he is still unsigned late in the offseason for the third year in a row.”
Scataglia then delivered the locker room theory: “This is just speculation, but perhaps Risner has rubbed teammates and coaches the wrong way at times, and that could be the driving force in him not being able to remain with a team for the long-term.”
Bengals a Possible Risner Destination
Risner also mentioned the Bengals as a destination he preferred this offseason.
Cincinnati typically needs all the offensive help it can get, so keep an eye on the Bengals as a Risner destination.
Or — like the last two years, Risner can sign with the Vikings for cheap after the draft. It has turned into a tradition.
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