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 didn’t land any waivers after cuts. They were 17th in waiver priority, with 24 of 28 claimed players coming from higher spots. Only four claims came from lower-priority teams: Tyler Lacy, Tyrus Wheat, Willie Lampkin and Derion Kendrick.

With Cordell Volson out for the season, interior OL depth is urgent and the starting right guard remains unsettled. Risner visited last week and could revisit talks in free agency.

The Bengals plan to lean on familiar faces on the practice squad while monitoring veteran options to protect Burrow and keep the offense fantasy relevant.

Desmond Ridder was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals as they finalized their 53-man roster, opening the door for Jake Browning to back up Joe Burrow in 2025. Ridder’s late-August showing — 8-for-20 for 75 yards with a pick — underscored a brewing QB decision in Cincinnati. Browning is slated to back Burrow, while Ridder lands in the release pool, reshaping fantasy expectations for Bengals pass-catchers and the Cleveland opener looming on Sept. 7.

Cordell Volson needs shoulder surgery that could sideline him for the 2025 season, a major blow to Cincinnati's interior. He started 15 games last year and 48 across three seasons, but his future with the Bengals now hinges on rehab and the club’s evaluation of options. The Bengals have Dylan Fairchild in a heated battle for left guard and now appear to lean toward Fairchild as the starter to begin 2025. Cincinnati even hosted Dalton Risner for a visit, signaling they’re exploring upgrade options to bolster depth along the line as Volson’s status looms large over Burrow’s protection and the run game. The situation casts a shadow over the Bengals’ offensive line and could reshape how fantasy managers view Cincinnati’s pass protection and overall attack this coming season.

Volson’s injury creates an immediate opening, with Fairchild likely stepping in if he’s healthy enough to begin the year. Risner’s visit adds a potential veteran floor if Cincinnati signs him, offering immediate stability and versatility across interior spots. With Volson entering the final year of his deal, the Bengals may be forced to plan beyond 2025, weighing whether Fairchild can grow into a long-term starter and how Risner’s addition would influence line calls, shotgun snaps, and Burrow’s pocket time in the early part of training camp.

Dalton Risner is weighing NFL suitors after working out for Cincinnati and planning visits to Seattle and possibly Pittsburgh. At 30, Risner has started 62 games for Denver and spent the last two seasons with Minnesota, drawing interest from the Vikings again. Cincinnati’s interior line has been hit by injuries this preseason, spotlighting Risner as a potential upgrade at guard. The Bengals, Seahawks, and Steelers are among teams in play, while Denver was mentioned only as Risner’s original landing place in his draft year.

For fantasy players, Risner’s signing would likely stabilize Burrow’s pocket and improve the Bengals’ ground game, especially if Cordell Volson remains limited by injury. If Risner signs elsewhere, the impact shifts to the recruiting team’s depth chart and run-blocking schemes. Risner’s versatility—guard by trade—gives teams a flexible upgrade and could alter snap shares among Bengals guards, with immediate ripple effects across fantasy lines for surrounding skill players.

Additionally, Risner’s public openness to multiple visits signals a patient FA process, keeping the Bengals’ offense in a holding pattern until a decision lands. A Risner-Bengals union would also squeeze Jalen Rivers’s rookie opportunities, while a Seahawks or Steelers move could reframe those offenses’ interior protection expectations. The Denver Broncos drafted Risner in 2019, a reminder of the guard’s proven durability and consistency across the position.