Denver Broncos who can be extended in 2022
3. Dalton Risner, OG
While I’ve been hard on Dalton Risner, who was drafted in 2019, he has a golden opportunity in front of him.
His best season was his rookie year when Denver was playing in an outside zone offense.
In 2020 and 2021, Risner regressed quite a bit, perhaps due to the offensive scheme that Pat Shurmur was implementing.
Now in 2022, Nathaniel Hackett is set to run an outside zone offense, which should in theory benefit Risner and allow him to regain his 2019 form.
Risner is by no means terrible. He’s only been called for five penalties in his three-year career and has missed just two games. He’s got the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line as well.
However, I think the Denver Broncos would allow him to sign elsewhere in free agency if they had to make a choice right now.
Dalton Risner needs to bounce back in 2022 and hope he can solidify himself as a strong guard in the NFL. Even before that, I’d say he needs to make sure he makes the week one lineup.
With the additions of Tom Compton, Billy Turner, and the return of Graham Glasgow, there are scenarios where Risner begins the season as a backup. Even still, he’s probably the left guard when the 2022 season begins.
Three best moves of George Paton era as Denver Broncos GM
The George Paton era began about 15 months ago. What have been his three best moves in his short time as the Denver Broncos GM so far?
He’s playing in a system he excelled in before, and should he return to that form in 2022, should be rewarded with a contract extension.