Dalton Risner preparing to play other positions... Just in case

DENVER — Ja’Wuan James’ decision to opt out of the 2020 season flipped the Broncos’ plan at offensive tackle on its head just over one month away from the start of the season.

Instead of Garett Bolles and Elijah Wilkinson competing for the left tackle spot during training camp and James holding down the right side of the line — as was the original plan — Wilkinson will slide back to right tackle, making the left side Bolles’ “job to lose,” according to Vic Fangio.

But those are the only changes that will be taking place. For now, at least.

Despite Dalton Risner’s experience playing tackle throughout his football career — most notably as a multi-year starting tackle at Kansas State — the former second-round pick appears to be staying put at guard. Again, for now.

On Thursday, when asked if he expected to get playing time at tackle in training camp, Risner focused on being prepared for any situation that presented itself.

“I think it’s next man up when you’re in the NFL,” Risner said, not giving a direct answer. “Whenever you’re [activating] seven or eight [offensive linemen], you’ve got to be able to play multiple positions. So I know [Mike] Munchak expects me to be able to hop in at center at any point, hop in at tackle at any point and there are multiple guys that play multiple positions across the O-line … The NFL is all about next man up.”

In fact, Risner is daily doing extra work to prepare himself to play at both center and tackle if need be.

“Whether I hear it from a coach or I don’t, I’m always going to make sure that I feel like I’m ready to hop in,” Risner said.

In preparing for center — where the starting job is currently up for grabs, with rookie Lloyd Cushenberry appearing to be in the driver’s seat — Risner focuses on the mental side of the game.

“People talk about mental reps and for me, I pretend like I’m the center,” Risner said, taking the media through his thought process. “If ‘Munch’ threw me in at center right now, because for some reason he needed to move guys around, could I be able to call out the Mike and call where we were going?

“So that’s a huge part of my everyday process,” Risner continued. “That’s a part of my studying when I’m in the film room. And getting snaps. Whether I get done with walkthrough and I want to get 10 snaps in real quick. I want to just make sure I get some snaps in under center, shotgun, make sure I can do it.”

At tackle, however, his preparation is much more technique focused.

“I play right next to Garett Bolles; I can play that position,” Risner stated without a doubt in his mind. “I’m sure he can play guard because we communicate over and over about what we’re supposed to do, how we’re supposed to double team. For tackle, you’ve got to learn that it’s kick sliding. You’re dealing with guys like Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, not Mike Purcell and Jurrell Casey. It’s a completely different style of play.”

Due to the differences, Risner wishes he could be getting extra one-on-one reps at tackle and in individual drills. However, in the ramp-up portion of training camp, the team is limited to strength, conditioning and walk-throughs.

“So, for right now it’s as much as, ‘Hey when I’m done I’m going to get five kick slides left, I’m going to get five kick slides right,'” Risner explained. “Obviously, that will go up if Munchak ever comes to me and says, ‘Dalton, I need you to start working at tackle, there’s a good chance you go there. Dalton, I need you to go to center because you might be going there.’ I would definitely tone it up and do more. I try to stay up to date with both positions.”

After a very promising rookie season at left guard in 2019, there is one mindset that the 25-year old should stay put and become the best guard he can possibly be. However, on the other side, there is another train of thought that believes Risner —  a talented and versatile offensive lineman — should move to tackle since he could very well be Denver’s best option at tackle.

The Colorado native, however, doesn’t care where he plays, as long as it’s for the betterment of the team.

“This year, I want to have a good season as a team, that’s my main overall thing,” the emerging leader of the Broncos’ offensive line said. “I don’t care if we go 2-14 and I might be a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro — I don’t care. I want to be able to go and be a 12-14 win team this year and be able to do the things I know we’re capable of.”

For now, it appears the talented offensive lineman will be staying put at left guard. But with uncertainty at left tackle, right tackle and even center, Risner will keep himself prepared for any possible changes.