Dalton Risner – OL (Kansas State)
Risner is a guy a lot of teams are going to want to have as a part of their franchise. Not only is he a very good offensive line prospect, but he’s also an all-around good guy who is going to be a standout member of whatever community he ends up calling home.
Risner’s versatility is well known. He can play tackle, guard, or even center if need be. He’s a super aggressive blocker who always finds a man to hit. Risner is a good overall athlete and he can get out of his stance in a hurry to lead plays on the outside or get to the second level and make key blocks that spring plays for big gains.
The knock on Risner pretty much comes down to his technique. He doesn’t have the best footwork or hand placement and he is a bit of a wild man who relies on his power and overall quickness. So he will need some coaching up, but his versatility will be very attractive to basically every team in the league.
Risner is going to come off the board somewhere between the mid-20s to probably somewhere in the 40s. So if the Vikings want this guy, and they have shown interest, they’ll have to move up to get him.
If they end up going a route other than offensive line at pick No. 18 in the first round, Risner would be the perfect guy to move up for. Minnesota could use a guy who can play multiple spots, as their offensive line depth is very shady right now.
If Risner ends up in purple, chances are he will be the favorite to be the Vikings’ starting left guard once the 2019 season commences.