NFL veteran offensive guard Dalton Risner signed a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Risner, a former second-round pick, spent the entirety of his professional career with the Denver Broncos.
The #Vikings are signing FA G Dalton Risner, sources say. The former #Broncos starter — and one of the top free agents available— lends valuable experience to Minnesota’s line. pic.twitter.com/6hM8fgKYj7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2023
Dalton Risner, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract
Despite all the offseason hype, the 2022 Denver Broncos were not able to live up to their lofty expectations during Russell Wilson’s first year in town. However, even with the disappointing record, Dalton Risner still managed to have a solid season at guard. Starting and appearing in 15 games, the left guard finished the season with a 61.1 overall PFF grade, good for 42nd out of 78 eligible players.
Dalton Risner originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Selected by the Denver Broncos, the Kansas State product won the starting left guard job right out of the gate and started all 16 games as a rookie. Charged with protecting a combination of Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, and Brandon Allen, Risner held up his end of the bargain, but the Broncos finished the season with a disappointing 7-9 record.
Risner returned to the starting lineup in 2020 and held down his job as the top option at left guard for all 16 games. However, while Risner himself improved, the Denver Broncos did not. After turning the keys over to Drew Lock, the former second-round pick promptly drove the team off a cliff, going 5-11 in yet another wasted year.
Injuries limited Risner to 15 of a possible 17 games in 2021, but he remained the starting left guard when on the field. Once again, 2021 was a solid season for Risner, but his Broncos once again failed to reach the playoffs with the quarterbacking duo of Lock and Teddy Bridgewater.
Since signing his rookie contract, Dalton Risner has started in 62 of a possible 66 games. However, he has yet to reach the playoffs in his four-year career.
Main Photo: Danny Medley – USA Today Sports
