Dalton Risner was an incredible steal for the Broncos

The Denver Broncos should not have been able to get Dalton Risner with their top pick in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Dalton Risner should have been a first-round draft pick.

Instead, the Denver Broncos stole him with their top pick of the second round.

Everyone knows that Risner wanted to be a member of the Broncos, and it’s okay that that is the main motivation for a large sect of Broncos Country wanting him on the team in the first place.

There’s another percentage of people who saw Risner’s work in the community in the great piece done by NFL Network, and that prompted a desire for the Broncos to draft him.

You mean to tell me there’s a top rated prospect who wants to be on the Broncos, is a local product, and is great in the community? Sign me up.

There’s nothing wrong with those reasons, but those reasons all come along with Risner being a freaking beast on the football field.

One of only five Kansas State Wildcats ever to be named a three-time captain in his time on campus, Risner was about as consistent as you could have asked from a college player over the course of his career.

Now he’s going to the NFL to play next to one of the highest paid right tackles in the history of the game and a former first-rounder in Ja’Wuan James and get coached by Hall of Famer Mike Munchak as well as eight-year NFL veteran (for the Broncos) Chris Kuper, who played the same position Risner is expected to play — right guard.

So what are the Broncos getting in Risner as a football player, not just as a person?

How about you ask Mississippi State edge player and 2019 first-round pick Montez Sweat. Or really anyone else Risner played against the past three or four years.

Though he’s a really nice, well-spoken guy off the field, Risner is a beast on the field who punishes people with power, technique, strong hands, and relentless effort.

Athletically, Risner didn’t test outstanding in the majority of categories but he’s got an NFL-ready frame at 6-foot-5, 314 pounds with 34-inch arms and an 81-inch wingspan.

Many college tackles who transition to the guard position do so because their game or size dictates the switch, but Risner profiles physically and athletically as a very good right tackle in the NFL.

The Broncos just need him to play right guard.

This past season at Kansas State, Risner allowed zero sacks and only four pressures on the quarterback.

Well, Sayre, Kansas State didn’t even attempt 300 passes last season. They’re a run-first team.

I’m glad you brought it up because Risner also graded out as the number one draft-eligible tackle in run blocking.

As a pass protector, Risner sets a great base and has the foot quickness to slide and get set, but also the core and upper body strength to engage rushers and jolt them backward rather than catch them and get pushed back.

In the run game, Risner is just picking and choosing ways to impose his will. He squares defenders up and does a great job playing outside zone, which the Broncos will obviously love because they’ll be in that type of offense.

Risner adds a toughness and attitude to the offensive line at a key position of need, and the Broncos were extremely fortunate to get him.

There were nine offensive linemen selected before Risner at pick 41 overall. He might be the steal of the draft as the 10th offensive lineman off the board.

When I watched this guy before the draft, I thought he would be a decade-long starter or more at either tackle or guard. Then you hear him talk and how he approaches the game like a professional, and it’s impossible not to be in this kid’s corner.

I think he’s going to be an All-Pro sooner rather than later, and we’ll all be laughing about how the Broncos got him at 41.

On tape, Risner looks like the best offensive lineman John Elway has ever drafted, and he’s picked some good ones from Orlando Franklin in the early years to Matt Paradis and first-round pick Garett Bolles more recently.