After Derek Carr was destroyed behind the o-line in 2023, the New Orleans Saints attempted to improve their offensive line this offseason. The final offseason step Gordon McGuinness of PFF listed for NOLA to enhance its squad is to address the interior, where they still need help.
In that article, McGuiness mentioned Dalton Risner, a former member of the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos, as someone who could be of great assistance to the Saints. Risner is still waiting to sign with an NFL team despite being a second-round choice by the Broncos in 2019. Risner has always maintained a PFF pass-blocking rating in the green, which indicates he’s good in that regard.
After going unsigned throughout the summer, the Vikings brought in Risner last year, and he went on to start 11 games at left guard for them. His pass-blocking grade was 67.4, but his total PFF grade for the season was 57.1. In 745 snaps, he also didn’t allow a sack. That level of output would be very beneficial to the Saints’ offensive line in 2024.
Quickly, the Saints must sign Dalton Risner.
Right present, rookie first-round pick Taliese Fuaga at left tackle, Oli Udoh at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard, and Landon Young at right tackle are the Saints’ anticipated starting offensive line. At left guard, Risner would be a huge improvement over Udoh, who saw just 45 snaps in 2023.
The Saints should definitely try to entice Risner to New Orleans if they can. He signed early in the regular season last year, so it’s possible he plans to do the same this time. For the Big Easy’s offensive line, which now appears to be lacking, he would be a huge difference maker.
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