Why Dalton Risner is already being called a "franchise cornerstone" in Denver

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In the spring, for a second-year in a row, John Elway received stellar reviews on his draft class.

Elway got a fair return for the No. 10 overall pick in a trade with the Steelers, landed himself a play-making tight end in the first round, drafted a local prospect to bolster his offensive line and, most headline-worthy, landed what he hoped would be the quarterback of the future.

Yet, it’s not the quarterback of the future, Drew Lock, or the first-round pick that just scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday, Noah Fant, that’s stealing the show.

It’s the 312-pound Colorado Native who may or may not have a pet raccoon.

“He’s one of the best offensive linemen out there right now. As a rookie,” Phillip Lindsay said, adding emphasis to just how good he believes Dalton Risner has been. “Dalton’s going to make a lot of plays in the NFL for a very long time. I’m happy he’s on my team. And we’re going to continue to grow.”

“I think he’s doing an unbelievable job,” Joe Flacco echoed. “I think he’s doing an awesome job mentally, too, just being on top of the calls and making calls and adjusting to this. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

On the field, Dalton’s taken over opposing team’s defensive lineman, carving holes for Lindsay and protecting Flacco. Off the field, he’s taken over as a leader, maybe even more than his play on the field.

“He’s a great leader. He has that rookie class going right now,” Lindsay said, identifying Risner as a crucial aspect to the rookie class’ leadership. “He’s just going to continue to build off that. That’s the type of man we need.”

Great player, check. Great teammate, check. Great leader, check. The Colorado kid playing for Colorado’s team, check.

Check, check, check. All Dalton Risner’s done since joining the Broncos is check every box and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by anyone in the building.

When asked about his top-two picks, Fant and Risner, Vic Fangio immediately pointed to the 41st pick in the 2019 draft.

“I think Dalton’s done extremely well,” Fangio stated, jumping to Risner first. “He’s fit right in with that O-line. He’s adjusted to playing NFL football. He’s doing very well and really glad we have him.”

“I think he’ll be a cornerstone for this franchise for a long time,” Fangio, the man in charge, said in closing.

Dalton hasn’t just won over his rookie class. He’s earned the respect from his 61-year old defensive-minded head coach, his veteran quarterback with 12 years of experience in the NFL and the 25-year-old second-year running back. Oh, and he’s been deemed a cornerstone for the franchise for a long time. Not a bad Wednesday.

His secret formula consists of a few ingredients.

“Smart. He’s very, very intelligent and he just has that dog in him,” Lindsay said, explaining what makes Risner the player he is, even as a rookie. “There’s not a lot of people like him. He can just turn it on. When it’s time to play, he’s ready to play.”

At his introductory press conference in April, the day after his favorite team growing up drafted him, Risner proudly strutted around his new office in cowboy boots that had certainly seen their fair share of dung and a tie speckled with the “C” from his Colorado Flag. But the most prominent part about his appearance was the unwavering ear-to-ear smile that could be seen from the back row at all times.

That smile and welcoming nature, however, appear to vanish immediately into the thin Mile High air on game day.

“When you turn on the film, just how nasty he is and stuff out there on the field and all that. It’s unbelievable,” Flacco, a man who has seen every type of player throughout his career, said on Wednesday with amazement.

What isn’t enticing about a nasty, intelligent, 300-pound offensive guard?

While dark stormy clouds loomed over the UCHealth Training Center on Wednesday morning as the team began practicing for their Week 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Dalton Risner couldn’t escape the brightest spotlight of praise from all over the organization.