Dalton Risner

Cincinnati Bengals

Pos LG

Updated October 8, 2026

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Model Score

79.0 MODEL

2019

79.9

2020

82.2

2021

79.3

2022

75.1

2023

71.0

2024

76.9

2025

76.6

2026

79.0

How good he is at what he is supposed to be doing, out of 100. Not a projection of what he will do next, and not a read on his contract. Median is about 70, and a 95 is rare. How it is built →

STM Take

Four straight tier 7-8 seasons before the 2025 tier 6 (#44) jump with Cincinnati makes Risner a textbook journeyman guard whose ceiling has rarely climbed above the late-round-pick band. The Kansas State technical foundation plus seven years of NFL starter reps give him the experience profile to anchor a rebuilding interior. The 2026 question is whether Risner holds tier 6 or whether the rank drifts back toward the tier 7-8 career band.

Risner came out of Kansas State as the Denver Broncos' 2nd-round pick (41st overall) in 2019 and started four seasons in Denver at left guard before bouncing through Minnesota and now Cincinnati. His STTM career runs tier 7 (#53) in 2021, tier 8 (#89) in 2022, tier 8 (#97) in 2023, tier 8 (#68) in 2024, then tier 6 (#44) jump in 2025 with the Bengals.

Strengths

Seven years of NFL starter reps at left guard across three systems gives him the veteran market value the Bengals captured.
53-spot year-over-year jump from tier 8 (#97) in 2023 to tier 6 (#44) in 2025 shows the change-of-scenery to Cincinnati produced a real bounce.

Concerns

Four straight tier 7-8 STTM finishes (2021-2024) confirms the structural ceiling has rarely climbed above the late-round-pick career band.
Bengals' broader offensive line investment pattern signals the front office may still draft an upgrade ahead of the next Risner contract window.

What to watch: Whether Risner holds tier 6 or better across the full 2026 Bengals season, or whether the rank drifts back toward the career tier 7-8 floor.