Denver Broncos: Vic Fangio calls Dalton Risner a cornerstone
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio paid rookie guard Dalton Risner a high compliment, calling him a cornerstone for the franchise.
Dalton Risner is a small-town Colorado kid, and like many Colorado kids, he obviously dreamed of getting to one day play for the Denver Broncos.
He even went to a game when he was younger and vowed that the next time he stepped foot in the stadium, it would be as a player.
After a stellar career at Kansas State where he was a three-time captain for Bill Snyder’s team, Risner represented the Wildcats and his home state of Colorado at the Senior Bowl, where he literally ran across the field to meet Broncos GM John Elway, one of his childhood heroes.
My favorite moment from the Senior Bowl...
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) January 27, 2019
OL standout Dalton Risner sprinted 40 yards across the field to approach John Elway.
"Mr. Elway, my name is Dalton Risner," he said. "I'm from Wiggins, Colorado and I'm doing everything I can to represent our state well out here." pic.twitter.com/VpR5CE45zB
Before Risner was even drafted by the Broncos, he’d won the hearts of Broncos Country and had pretty much every fan of the team clamoring for Elway to draft him by the time the story of what he’d done at the Senior Bowl had gotten out.
Not only that, but Risner made it clear who he wanted to play for professionally.
“I’d love to play for any of the 32 teams; any of that would be a blessing. But if I got to come home to play for the Denver Broncos, man, I’d need at least a day to cry in my room. It would just be a blessing, man.” — Dalton Risner at the Senior Bowl this year
— Riley Gates (@Riley_Gates) April 27, 2019
Is there a more perfect fit for a team than a player who is from your state, publicly declares a desire to play for your team, and played at an All-American level for three years of college ball?
I am not sure there is.
Because of Risner’s college production and the skill set he was bringing to the NFL, it should come as no surprise that he’s been a steady performer through four games to open his career. As a matter of fact, I think Risner has been one of the best players on the Broncos’ roster through four games this season.
Risner has done so well, he earned a rare high compliment from his head coach, Vic Fangio, who called Risner a ‘cornerstone’ for the Broncos.
"“I think Dalton’s done extremely well. He’s fit right in with that O-line. He’s adjusted to playing NFL football. He’s doing very well and really glad we have him. I think he’ll be a cornerstone for this franchise for a long time.”Vic Fangio (quotes via Broncos PR)"
It truly feels like Risner is set to be a cornerstone piece for the franchise as well.
Next. Broncos top players so far in 2019. dark
He immediately came in and stabilized a position of concern for the Broncos at left guard and if he’s playing this well four games into his rookie season, I can only imagine how good he’s going to be as the NFL game slows down for him over the course of this season and the rest of the year.