Overview
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 312 pounds
School: Kansas State Wildcats
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 5.30 seconds
Bench press: 23 reps
Vertical jump: 28.5 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 2 inches
Three-cone drill: 7.69 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.52 seconds (tied for third-best among offensive linemen)
Dalton Risner 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Dalton Risner is a redshirt senior out of Kansas State. He started his redshirt freshman year at center, where he played for all 13 games. His breakout year came during his sophomore season where he moved to right tackle. He only allowed one sack all season and thus his dominant play earned him a spot on the All-Big XII first team. For his junior year, he would stay at right tackle and yet again received first-team All-Big XII notice. It was a year in which he ranked in the top 10 in pass protection, run blocking and quarterback pressures, along with surrendering zero sacks.
He would go on to skip the bowl game that year in favor of having shoulder surgery to ensure he was healed in time for the start of his senior season. That year, he started at right tackle, where he garnered a spot on the second-team All-Big 12. While this may seem like a step down from his previous two seasons, it’s important to note that he again allowed zero sacks bringing his grand total to one sack surrendered in his entire collegiate career.
With the type of collegiate career that he’s had, it’s easy to see why so many scouts have given him a first-round grade. With the flexibility to play anywhere on the offensive line and his efficiency in pass protection, Risner should be a lock as late first to early second round pick. While there are some concerns about his footwork and lack of athleticism, his stellar game tape and multiple first-team All-Big 12 accolades should be enough to keep him from falling too far down team’s draft boards.
Strengths
- impressive lateral quickness;
- boasts a great deal of collegiate experience;
- a strong puller who’s able to get out in space;
- strong hands to help intercept blitzers;
- plays centered with a wide base;
- high football I.Q.;
- plays with a mean streak;
- power at the point of attack;
- executes solid leverage;
Weaknesses
- not the most naturally athletic;
- footwork is inconsistent;
- struggles to contain when backside blocking;
- doesn’t come out of stance with a lot of initial quickness;
- could improve ability to mirror and match defenders;
NFL Comparison: Cody Whitehair
Teams with need at the position: Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: Late first round/early second round
Bottom Line
Despite Risner’s stellar collegiate career, there are still those that have concerns with his passion for the game and his ability to handle NFL level speed rushers. A move inside to guard would set him up for success due to his strength, handwork, and lack of athleticism. There are also concerns about his age entering the league. Risner will be 24 years old by the start of the 2019 season and while this may seem minute, longevity is an important factor that goes into the draft evaluation process. Despite those concerns, Risner should still go on to have an extremely productive NFL career as long as he works on his footwork and adds a little burst to his game.
