NFL Offseason 2019: Every team’s best under-the-radar move

Denver Broncos: Dalton Risner, OL

This was quite the offseason for Denver Broncos general manager John Elway. After years of trying to get things right under center, he and the Broncos enter 2019 looking better at this position than they have since Peyton Manning was starting for them.

First off, they were able to unload Case Keenum who didn’t pan out as their starter in 2018 and they landed Joe Flacco. It’s a bit of a stretch by Elway to claim Flacco is still entering his prime, but the fact is the former Super Bowl winner can win games for them. He’s also going to be a solid mentor for rookie Drew Lock who can develop into a starter long-term for them.

Elway also landed Noah Fant with this first-round pick which gives them their best receiving threat at tight end since Julius Thomas. With all that going on, it may have been easy to miss one of their other early picks, Dalton Risner. Taken 41st overall, Risner comes in as an incredibly versatile offensive lineman.

He played all over the line for Kansas State and gives Denver plenty of options. Currently, it looks as though Risner will play guard but should something happen to either Garrett Bolles or free-agent addition Ja’Wuan James, the rookie is more than capable of kicking outside and playing tackle. Denver’s quarterbacks made all the headlines but fixing the O-line could be just as important and Risner will be a huge part of that.