Finding a new starting right tackle is not the only task the Cincinnati Bengals should seek to accomplish with their offensive line this offseason.

Competition for left guard Cordell Volson could go a long way towards completely solidifying the interior of the line. Depth at either guard spot should also be welcomed with open arms. 

Pending free agent Dalton Risner is capable of checking at least one of those boxes, and he's got a good reason to end up in Cincinnati.

Risner was originally selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and was a four-year starter at left guard. He wound up doing the same job in 2023 for the Minnesota Vikings after a robust free agent market never materialized for him.

His career path in the NFL almost matches the Bengals' newly hired pass game coordinator Justin Rascati.

Like Risner, Rascati's first taste of NFL life came in 2019 with the Broncos. He stayed in Denver for three years as an offensive quality control coach, and then joined the Vikings in 2022 as the assistant offensive line coach.

If any coach knows Risner well, it's Rascati.

Dalton Risner's fit with the Bengals

Four of Risner's five years in the league have been spent playing under Rascati in some capacity. He should be leveraging any coaching connection he has around the NFL to continue his run as a starter, even if the job isn't guaranteed at signing.

A to Z Sports' salary cap experts Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio project Risner to command a one-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency:

"Dalton Risner was assumed to be one of the more coveted guards last season, but the market spoke and Risner didn’t receive his desired payday. He ventured to Minnesota on a one-year prove-it deal for $3 million. While in Minnesota, his pass blocking efficiency rating dropped to 96.7%, his career low, and PFF’s run blocking grade of 50.0 was also a career-low. Although Risner ended his 2022 campaign on the IR, it’s hard to imagine Risner getting a raise when coming off the arguably worst professional season of his career." – A to Z Sports' Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio

Risner signing late last offseason and failing to exceed any expectations with the Vikings will likely have him testing his options on the open market. Minnesota could retain him for cheap, but could also stand to improve at left guard.

For the Bengals, Risner could end up improving the position for them. His pass blocking has been very stable for his career, and he's been penalized just nine times with over 4,500 snaps logged. Volson is already responsible for 10 penalties despite half as many career snaps.

Volson is slated to start at left guard for a third straight year, and he's been uncontested there since last offseason. The only real competition he's faced is Jackson Carman, which is not saying much. Having Volson battle it out with Risner would not only get the best out of both of them, it would ensure the Bengals end up with a quality reserve.

Lack of depth along the entire offensive line has plagued the Bengals in far too many important games in recent playoff games. They got lucky by not experiencing any o-line injuries last season. Expecting that to run into 2024 is foolish. 

On top of his history with Rascati and positional fit, Risner was also a draft target for the Bengals in 2019. He was one of a few o-linemen they had interest in at the top of the second round. The Broncos traded up for him right in front of the Bengals, which led to Cincinnati infamously trading back and settling for tight end Drew Sample.

Scouting reports never just vanish, they evolve and persist. If the Bengals were high on Risner five years ago, they could have interest again. Employing a coach who's intimately familiar with him is just the cherry on top.

Most free agent signings aren't going to break the bank. Risner would be an inexpensive, but important addition for Cincinnati. It's one of the more logical fits around the league this year.

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