Summary

Dalton Risner was selected in Round 2 (#41 Overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Kansas State University. A four-year collegiate starter, Risner was one of the most accomplished offensive linemen in the Big 12, starting games at both tackle and guard. At Kansas State, he earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors, was a team captain, and gained national attention for his toughness, leadership, and technical consistency. In the NFL, Risner became an immediate starter, logging 70+ career starts through the 2024 season with the Broncos and later the Minnesota Vikings. While he has not consistently graded among elite guards, Risner’s athleticism is validated by his time at Wiggins HS in Colorado, where he finished fifth in the state at shot put and also lettered in basketball. A three-time team captain, Risner is as impressive off the field as he is on it, earning First Team Academic All-Big 12 honors in 2017 and 2016 and being named a candidate to the AFCA Good Works Team. Risner wants to be a motivational speaker and broadcaster following his football career, and his infectious personality is a huge asset in the locker room or for any offensive line unit starved for leadership.

Strengths

• Play Strength: Strong, sturdy interior lineman who holds up well against power rushers. Effective on down blocks, double teams, and inside runs.

• Anchor vs. Bull Rush: Difficult to collapse when pad level and hand placement are sound. Heavy, accurate hands allow him to maintain inside positioning to use the rusher’s momentum to continue guiding him in his rush lane, allowing the quarterback room to step up in the pocket.

• Competitive Toughness: Plays with edge and physicality and brings intensity to the trenches. Good rhythm blocker and does an outstanding job with his mental processing to pass off and pick up defenders on stunts and delayed blitzes.

• Versatility: Experience at both guard spots and tackle adds lineup flexibility. Understands protections, stunts, and blitz pickup.

Weaknesses

• Lateral Quickness: Can be stressed by quick interior penetrators and twist games. Not expedient with his kick slide and could struggle to mirror the arc against twitchier finesse rushers with bend from wider alignments.

• Pass Protection vs. Speed: Struggles at times with sudden inside counters. Can play high, leading to leverage losses.

• Scheme Ceiling: More effective in power and inside-zone systems than wide-zone schemes.

• Mercenary: Despite his blocking efficiency and strong analytics score, Risner seemingly is having difficulty finding a long-term sustainable home despite being in the prime of his career.

Outlook

Risner is best suited for physical, power-based or balanced offensive systems that emphasize interior strength, toughness, and protection integrity. He fits well in schemes that ask guards to anchor against power, generate movement on downhill runs, and maintain clean pockets rather than consistently operate in wide space. His experience and toughness make him especially valuable in protecting young quarterbacks and stabilizing offensive line units. Looking ahead, Risner projects as a reliable veteran starter or high-end depth guard, depending on roster construction and scheme fit. While his athletic ceiling limits elite upside, his toughness, experience, and leadership provide a high floor and dependable value. As he moves into the veteran stage of his career, Risner remains a trustworthy interior lineman capable of contributing meaningful snaps and serving as a stabilizing presence for competitive offenses.