Risner was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was an immediate starter at left guard. That’s where he played for all of his 62 starts over four years in Denver. Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper was the Broncos assistant offensive line coach from 2019-21. Vikings assistant offensive line coach Justin Rascati also coached with the Broncos from 2019-21. There’s familiarity with Risner in the Vikings offensive line room.
Through two games, both losses, the Vikings have struggled to run the ball. It’s been one of the team’s biggest issues. The play of the offensive line isn’t the lone reason for those issues but it is a reason. Injuries haven’t helped. Center Garrett Bradbury has missed all but the first seven snaps of the first game. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw missed all of the second game. His replacement, Oli Udoh, was lost for the season. The Vikings were down to their third left tackle in the fourth quarter of their Week 2 game. The Vikings need improved play from the offensive line and they need healthy offensive linemen. Risner was signed to provide both. He immediately replaces Udoh in the offensive line room and on the roster. He might soon replace one of the current starters on the field. $4 million for the remainder of the season is closer to starter money than swing-guard money. That’s more than either of the two current starting guards, left guard Ezra Cleveland and right guard Ed Ingram. It’s fairly safe to project that Risner will replace one of them perhaps as soon as this Sunday. While with the Broncos, Risner played solely on the left side. He played right tackle at Kansas State. Stepping in as the Vikings left guard should be a breeze. I don’t think that stepping in as the right guard would take much of an adjustment. I believe that both options are possible. Right now, Ingram appears to be struggling more than Cleveland. I’d rather see Risner at right guard and keep Cleveland at left guard. Perhaps it’s just me but I prefer as little upheaval as possible. Putting Risner on the left side and bumping Cleveland to right impacts both sides of the line. Simply putting Risner on the right, between veterans Bradbury and Brian O’Neill, impacts only the right side. But that’s just me.. I’m simply sitting in a comfy chair watching it all.
Some might say that this is a move the Vikings should’ve made weeks, even months, ago. The team has used first- and second- round picks to put the offensive line together. Those are high end picks for high end talent. The five played together all of last year. Continuity on the offensive line is a big deal. All five players were going to get, and should get, every opportunity to be the offensive line moving forward. So far, it’s been rough. The tackles are set with left tackle Christian Darrisaw (when he’s healthy) and right tackle Brian O’Neill. The duo have the potential to be one of the best bookend tackles in the league. The Vikings interior offensive line has been wildly inconsistent. Hopefully the addition of Dalton Risner will raise the level of play and the consistency. Some might say that it couldn’t get worse. One thing that’s certain is that Risner improves the talent in the offensive line room and gives the Vikings a solid option at a position of significant need.
And the fans finally get their savior.
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