With The First Pick
Fansided

Dalton Risner already bringing his trademark toughness to Broncos

By Bryan Perez

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: The helmet and gloves of Will Parks #34 of the Denver Broncos (not pictured) rests on the field before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: The helmet and gloves of Will Parks #34 of the Denver Broncos (not pictured) rests on the field before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos are already getting a taste of the big nasty that is Dalton Risner.

Former Kansas State offensive tackle Dalton Risner was one of the most talented offensive linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft and was considered a potential first-round pick by many (if not most) draft analysts.

His scouting report wasn’t without its flaws, however. There were questions regarding his ability to hang with speed rushers in the NFL, and as a result, he was universally projected as a right tackle or as a player who’d be kicked inside to guard on the next level. Those questions caused him to slip into the second round where he became one of draft weekend’s biggest steals for the Denver Broncos.

Risner’s addition instantly upgrades the toughness of Denver’s offensive line; he’s straight-up nasty. His college film is overflowing with play after play of him burying his opponent into the grass. He enjoyed it, too.

Risner will begin his pro career as a left guard for the Broncos and is in the middle of a competition for a starting job. According to veteran defensive lineman Derek Wolf, Risner’s already establishing himself as one of the team’s tougher dudes.

“He’s a rookie, a rookie offensive lineman that goes really hard as hard as he possibly can every play,” Wolfe said of Risner on May 30. “That’s what you expect from a rookie offensive lineman. We have to tell him a couple of times like, ‘Hey man, chill out.’ I think he’s a good player. I think that was another great pickup.”

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. At all.

Risner is going to be a 10-year starter because of how mean and nasty he is. It’s his mental makeup that will separate him from other offensive linemen not only from this year’s draft class but from veterans on Denver’s roster too. And it’s that mental makeup that prevents players with Risner’s slightly limited physical traits from washing out of the league.

Next. 5 potential surprise rookie starters in 2019. dark

Broncos fans should be fired up about Risner’s upside and for the ferocious makeover he’s bringing to the offensive line.

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