The Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold have hit their stride, riding a seven-game winning streak entering Sunday night’s showdown against the Detroit Lions.
While Darnold’s play has been a key force in helping the Vikings post a 14-2 record this season, another contributing factor has been the decision to put Dalton Risner into the starting lineup.
Risner replaced Ed Ingram at right guard midway through the season and the results have spoken for themselves. The Vikings have won all seven games since making the move before a Week 11 win over the Tennessee Titans but Darnold’s play has hit another gear, helping him make a dark horse push for the MVP award.
Dalton Risner starting at right guard has helped Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold in 2024
Risner played in 15 games and started 11 for the Vikings last year, but Blake Brandel took his spot at left guard last offseason. Risner re-signed with Minnesota in May, and he served in a reserve role during minicamp until he injured his back during training camp.
When Risner was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, it allowed Ingram to start the season at right guard. But the 2022 second-round pick struggled mightily with a 51.8 PFF offensive grade that ranked 73rd out of 79 qualifying NFL guards.
Ingram’s biggest weakness was pass protection, as he also ranked 73rd with a 67.1 overall grade and allowed the fifth-most pressures among qualifiers with 21. While Darnold didn’t struggle, his numbers were modest in the first nine games, throwing for 237.9 yards per game with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Darnold’s performance was good enough to lead the Vikings to a 7-2 record but the team made the switch to Risner in Tennessee. Since then, the veteran offensive lineman has performed as one of the best pass-blocking guards in football with a 74.4 PFF pass-blocking grade that ranks ninth out of 74 qualifiers since entering the starting lineup and has a 67.1 PFF offensive grade that ranks 24th.
In the same timeframe, Darnold’s numbers have jumped to 287.4 passing yards per game with 18 touchdowns and two interceptions. Darnold also has the third-best PFF offensive grade among NFL quarterbacks at 90.4 in seven games with Risner in the lineup, and he’s been able to hunt further downfield with his air yards per attempt jumping from 7.78 with Ingram to 9.39 with Risner starting.
Risner only signed a one-year contract with the Vikings this past offseason, but his recent performance could spark a return in 2025.
After playing the waiting game before landing in Minnesota for each of the past two seasons, Risner could agree to return early next spring and Darnold’s numbers could convince the Vikings to make an offer once the season ends.