5 free agents the Buccaneers can still sign after start of OTAs
By Brad Smith
OG Dalton Risner
In a free-agent class full of proven and aging veterans, Risner was one of the few younger offensive linemen with proven starting experience. Risner, the No. 41 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, spent time in Denver and Minnesota and was a solid starting guard with both teams. In 78 career games, Risner has made 73 starts and totaled 4,521 snaps as a Bronco and Viking.
Last season, Risner only committed three penalties in 15 games (11 starts) as the Vikings' starting left guard, and earned a 57.3 PFF grade. Through the years, Risner has posted average grades from PFF, earning marks of 64.4, 61.3, 59.0 and 61.1 from 2019-2022. Even so, Risner has managed to play in 15+ games in all five seasons and has made 15+ starts in every season except last year.
Even though Risner enjoyed a smooth transition from four years as the Broncos' starting left guard to Kirk Cousins' blindside guard, the 28-year-old free agent is just one of many average offensive linemen available in free agency. That said, Risner remaining un-signed three months into free agency speaks how deep of an offensive linemen class there was in free agency.
Yes, Tampa Bay signed Sua Opeta, Ben Bredeson, and Justin Skule in free agency, and drafted Graham Barton and Elijah Klein in the draft. Still, adding one more offensive lineman ahead of the 2024 season would still be a worthwhile move, especially with the added pressure to protect Baker Mayfield in year two.