Heading into 2019 one of the Buffalo Bills’ main priorities will be to protect Josh Allen. That starts with building up the trenches. This year’s draft is loaded with talent and Dalton Risner may be an under the radar prospect.
Maybe ninth overall is a stretch for Risner. If the Bills are able to trade back, it would most likely be with a team looking to draft a QB ahead of the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. If they are able to trade back, this is when Risner may be the right selection.
Name: Dalton Risner
School: Kansas State
Position: Offensive Tackle
Class: Senior
Recruitment Rating: three-star
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 308 lbs
Strengths:
Versatility- Risner has the ability to play any position along the offensive line. His main body of work came playing center and tackle.
Run Blocking- Risner fights for position at the point of attack. He doesn’t just settle for standing up the defender; he’ll try to put him into the bleachers. He also is adept at using his leverage against opponents.
Hands- Risner is great with hand placement. He has a great first punch that helps set inside leverage and control. He plays with good extension to keep defenders within reach.
Toughness- Risner loves to compete and plays with a chip on his shoulder. He loves to get dirty and stick his nose into a scrum. He shows great ability to combo block and gets to the second level.
Pass Blocking- Power rushers get nowhere on him. He has the ability to mirror speed rushers and ride past QB dropback spot. Finally, Risner reads blitzes well from the linebackers or the secondary.
Weakness:
Footwork- Risner’s foot speed is his greatest weakness. He has a tendency to step with the wrong foot first off the snap. He has enough quickness to recover but it could be an issue at the next level.
Risner was a mauler at Kansas State; he loved contact and punishing defenders. His versatility may be key in how high he is selected in the draft. The fact that he can play anywhere on the line will help him. He should be selected late in the first round. He could play for the next 10 years at either center or right tackle. Therefore, he could play at a Pro Bowl level, but if the Bills would settle for a solid lineman to protect Josh Allen in the future.
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