The New Orleans Saints have tried to revamp their offensive line this offseason after Derek Carr got pulverized behind the o-line in 2023. They could still use help on the interior and that's what Gordon McGuinness of PFF listed as the last offseason move NOLA could make to improve its roster.
McGuiness mentioned a name in that write-up who could help the Saints tremendously and that's Dalton Risner, formerly of the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings. A second-round pick by the Broncos in 2019, Risner has always had a PFF pass-blocking rating in the green (which means he's excellent in that department) and yet he's still sitting around waiting to sign with an NFL team.
This past year, the Vikings brought Risner in after nobody signed him over the summer and he went on to start 11 games at left guard for them. He finished the season with an overall PFF grade of 57.1 but his pass-blocking grade was 67.4. He also didn't allow a sack in 745 snaps. The Saints could absolutely use that kind of production for their offensive line in 2024.
Saints need to sign Dalton Risner ASAP
As of now, the projected starting offensive line for the Saints would likely be rookie first-rounder Taliese Fuaga at left tackle, Oli Udoh at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard, and Landon Young at right tackle. Risner would be a massive upgrade at left guard over Udoh, who played just 45 snaps in 2023.
Risner signed early on in the regular season last year so maybe he's planning on doing the same thing again this time around but if the Saints can try and coax him to New Orleans, then they absolutely should. He'd be a massive difference-maker for what looks to be an incomplete offensive line in the Big Easy.
