Risner’s visit to Cincinnati signals a push to shore up offensive line protection, a move that could stabilize Burrow’s pocket and boost the upside of Bengals’ explosive pass catchers. With Risner in play, the offense could sustain more efficient drives, indirectly lifting fantasy outcomes for multiple pass-catchers and the backfield.

Risner’s visit to Minnesota underscores a broader market pause as KC weighs upgrades at interior guard. For fantasy, this signals KC’s willingness to bolster line protection and stabilize run games, a factor in Pacheco’s workload projections.

Risner visits Cincinnati with a potential starting role in mind, threatening Patrick’s roster status. A signing could instantly upgrade protection, shifting Rivers and Fairchild into deeper roles and potentially altering Week 1 protection dynamics. Risner’s arrival would be a major lever in the Bengals’ interior line narrative.

Risner, a six-year vet, is a proven guard with 81 career games and recent Vikings experience (2024). A Bengals workout could pivot Cincinnati’s interior protection, offering Burrow a stable anchor and potentially elevating both the run game and pass protection. His combination of power, technique, and veteran leadership would address a key need as Cincinnati eyes a playoff push. The Vikings stint adds a recent, relevant tape that suggests he can plug into a zone/power scheme and stabilize protection quickly.

Dalton Risner is a former second-round pick who has the potential to fill a starting guard position despite recent injury struggles. His popularity among fans signifies a pressing need at the position.