5 players the Vikings will watch closely at the 2019 NFL Combine
By Nik Edlund
Dalton Risner – OL (Kansas State)
Obviously, the first order of business for the Vikings in the 2019 draft will be to upgrade their offensive line. Minnesota could take either a tackle or a guard this year, as really the only player assured of being in the same role as last season is right tackle Brian O’Neill.
The Vikings will surely do their due diligence on top prospects like Jonah Williams, Jawaan Taylor, and Cody Ford. But there are some guys that Minnesota will want to see up close and personal to determine if they are a true fit for the team and what they want to do on the field in 2019.
One of these guys is the versatile former Kansas State big man, Dalton Risner. Risner has been linked to the Vikings in a lot of mock drafts. But when going from draft site to draft site, his rankings are all over the map.
A big question about Risner is figuring out where exactly he’ll play in the NFL. Is he a guard, a tackle, or a center? He played all three positions in college and he played them all very well. Minnesota should consider his versatility a plus as they’ve been hit by offensive line injuries before and a guy who can slide over and play another position in a pinch can be a true blessing.
The Vikings will want to see how physical Risner is in drills this week. They’ll look at how explosive he can be out of his stance, his overall athletic ability, and his bench press.
Another important evaluation for Risner and Minnesota will be in the interviews. The Vikings can grill him and get a good idea if he truly is willing and smart enough to play any position the team puts him at, or if he believes he is best at a specific one. Risner is a well-spoken guy, so he’ll likely ace this part of the test.
If there is a run on offensive lineman early in this year’s draft, he could be the top option when Minnesota is on the clock at pick No. 18. Getting a thorough and deep look at him in Indianapolis this week will go a long way in determining whether or not the Vikings will use their first-round choice on him or if they elect to use their pick on another position all together.