Potential Raiders Free Agent Targets: Dalton Risner
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As we continue looking at potential free agents the Las Vegas Raiders could pursue once the new league year starts in March, today we’re going to look at a prospect on the interior of the offensive line.
The biggest question mark this off-season for General Manager Dave Ziegler and the Raiders is who will be the starting quarterback when Josh McDaniels’ squad takes the field in 2023, but whoever that quarterback is will need to be kept upright by good offensive line play.
Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner is one interior offensive lineman set to hit the free-agent market. With Alex Bars and Netane Muti of the Raiders set to be free agents, Risner could be a low-risk, high-reward option at guard for Las Vegas.
Risner was selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Broncos and has spent the last three seasons there as a starting guard. While starting all 16 games as a rookie, Risner committed only three penalties and gave up just three sacks. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Over the next couple of seasons, Risner’s play improved tremendously. In 2020, he played almost 1,000 snaps, committed no penalties, and allowed no sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. His production dipped a bit in 2021, but he rebounded with a strong season in 2022.
Risner has been one of the most underrated guards in the NFL for a couple of years now, and Denver might want to re-sign him to a big contract to keep him on their offensive line long-term. On the chance that they do allow him to test the open market, the Raiders might not be shy about inquiring about him.
Many of the top teams in the NFL are successful because they have top-tier offensive lines. If the Raiders want to get to that point, it should start in the trenches.
The Raiders probably will explore adding offensive line depth through the draft, but getting a top-tier starting guard wouldn’t hurt whoever is going to be at quarterback next season, and Risner fits that bill.
The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. During that time, starting at 12 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m EST on March 15.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EST on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.
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