The Vikings are reportedly hosting top free agent guard Dalton Risner for a visit, according to Mike Klis of Denver’s 9NEWS.
Risner has Minnesota connections with current Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper and assistant offensive line coach Justin Ruscati. Kuper was the Broncos’ assistant offensive line coach from 2019-21 while Ruscati was an offensive quality control assistant for Denver during that same period.
Per source, former Broncos starting LG Dalton Risner is visiting with the Minnesota Vikings. Makes sense as Vikings OL coach is Chris Kuper, assistant OL coach is Justin Ruscati. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) July 31, 2023
Risner, 28, was a second-round pick out of Kansas State in the 2019 draft and started 62 games over the last four years in Denver.
According to PFF, Risner finished 2022 with a 72.6 pass blocking grade, ranking 22nd in the league among qualified guards. Risner’s 72.6 is 18 points higher than Ezra Cleveland’s 54.1 and Ed Ingram’s 42.6.
While Risner’s pass blocking grades would mark a notable improvement over what the Vikings already have in place his 53.4 run blocking grade would be drop from Cleveland’s 79.4 and Ingram’s 64.2 grades.
“Risner would appear to be a good insurance policy in case the interior of the offensive line does not make the progress that’s expected or simply quality depth,” said Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller on how Risner fits into the Vikings offensive line depth chart. “Chris Reed hasn’t been practicing and we don’t know the extend of his injury yet so it’s never a bad thing to improve the group behind the starters just in case.”
