Dalton Risner signed a one-year, 1.337 million deal with a 167,500 signing bonus to join Cincinnati, a classic value pick given his 67.0 overall PFF grade on 537 snaps last season and a 76.2 pass-blocking mark. No sacks allowed in 1,282 total snaps across the last two seasons, and 2024 penalties were nil. Risner brings versatility at guard and a clear path to win the Bengals’ right guard job as Cincinnati rebuilds interior line with veterans moving on.

The guard situation in Cincinnati has been a major weakness, with Cordell Volson and Alex Cappa producing inconsistent results. Lucas Patrick is nursing a calf injury, and Risner stepped in with one pressure on 24 pass-blocking snaps in Week 1. Zac Taylor emphasized Risner’s experience, durability, and readiness, setting up a competitive battle with Dylan Fairchild and Patrick to protect Joe Burrow and stabilize the run game.

These changes frame Risner as a strategic upgrade rather than a rental, pointing to more reliable right-side protection for Burrow and potentially improved pocket integrity. If Risner locks in, fantasy managers should monitor the Bengals’ line rotations closely, as better pass protection often translates to longer throws and steadier fantasy outputs for Burrow and his pass-catchers.

Cincinnati sideline news: Lucas Patrick will miss multiple weeks with an injury, thrusting the Bengals into a quick guard decision. Dalton Risner has stepped in and flashed solid play against Cleveland, raising the possibility of a short-term roaster upgrade and even a longer-term starter role if his form holds. Cincinnati could elevate Jaxson Kirkland to the 53-man mix or chase external help on the waiver wire, while rookie Jalen Rivers remains in the mix as a depth option.

Beyond Patrick, the Bengals face a critical staffing choice at guard. Risner’s early impact makes it plausible he locks the job, influencing Burrow’s protection and the run game. Free agency and internal shuffles will shape the short-term depth, with the Packers’ trade chatter around Trey Hendrickson adding an extra layer of intrigue to the guard discussion and the Week 2 outlook.

Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor disclosed Lucas Patrick will miss a couple of weeks with a calf issue, forcing Dalton Risner into action in the first half as Cincinnati grapples with injury depth. Patrick’s replacement helped in the run game, but Cincinnati still logged just 2 yards per carry on 23 attempts, underscoring a broader unit- and coaching-wide challenge rather than a single-player fault. The offense will push to rebound at practice midweek as Cincinnati eyes a home date with 1-0 Jacksonville.

Across the league, Jacksonville’s Liam Coen earned a debut win in charge of the offense, 26-10 over Carolina, signaling a potential lift for the Jaguars. The Bengals’ attention shifts to balancing run- and pass-attack efficiency, while Jacksonville looks to maintain the early momentum after Coen’s fresh-quarterback-friendly system. For fantasy managers, this duo’s evolving situations merit watchful optimism and cautious rotation notes this week.

Dalton Risner's first game with Cincinnati steadied the Bengals' guard duo, relaying a cleaner pocket for Burrow and boosting pass-game stability. Week 1 numbers showed Risner surrendering just one pressure in 24 pass-blocking snaps and lifting the unit to a high early pass-blocking grade, while run-blocking lagged. Burrow had time (2.92 seconds per dropback) to survey the field, with risk of deeper connections improving as protection tightens. The win over Cleveland highlighted a blueprint for the offense entering 2025.

Fantasy takeaway: Risner's presence elevates Burrow's floor, potentially lifting Higgins and Chase with more clean pockets down the season. The run game may still struggle, but a protected Burrow generally translates to steadier targets and higher weekly floors. Browns' pressure on a key drive was a reminder Cincinnati must sustain protection; Week 1 suggests the guard tandem has turned a corner.