The 49ers still need interior help for their offensive line, and Pro Football Focus apparently knows a guy who can help.
The offseason has reached a point post the NFL Draft where another wave of free-agent signings are likely to take place.
With teams having drafted rookies and signing undrafted free agents, the remaining crop of veteran free-agent players is the next pool from which to grab, and you'll likely hear a few relatively big names sign deals between now and the start of offseason workouts.
From the San Francisco 49ers' perspective, their roster is already at 90 players before workouts commence later this month. Yet general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have never shied away from trying to make improvements when possible.
So, from an upgrade/depth perspective, it would make sense to comb through the talent pool.
Pro Football Focus tabs Dalton Risner as free-agent fit for 49ers
Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus combed through all 16 NFC squads and identified one offseason move each of them should make between now and camp.
For the Niners, Cameron's suggestion was to ink veteran interior offensive lineman Dalton Risner, who broke into the league back in 2019 as a second-round draftee of the Denver Broncos, spending four years there before the last two with the Minnesota Vikings.
Cameron cited San Francisco's lack of attention on the O-line during last April's draft, which led him to conclude Risner would be of assistance, especially in light of quarterback Brock Purdy's pending contract extension:
"If you’re going to hand your quarterback a lucrative contract, it would also be wise to shore up the protection in front of him. While the 49ers have taken a few stabs at solidifying the interior this offseason, more veteran depth would go a long way.
Dalton Risner would profile as a positive addition, given his experience and grading profile as a pass blocker, having earned a 76.1 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2024."
Risner, 29 years old, was a full-time starter during his time with Denver but fell out of favor in Minnesota.
Nevertheless, serving under Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, whose offense isn't much different from that of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, the scheme fit shouldn't be entirely foreign.
Plus, the Niners could stand for some experienced depth, especially after losing left guard Aaron Banks to free agency earlier this offseason and not having any clear-cut replacements on their current roster beyond the presumed replacement, Ben Bartch.
Risner would likely arrive on the cheap, too. According to Spotrac, his projected market value is $3.4 million annually -- somewhat pricey for a backup but certainly not for a potential starter, assuming he'd win out in a competition over Bartch.
San Francisco added former Iowa offensive guard Connor Colby in Round 7 of the draft, meaning there's another name in the mix to watch for the interior.
But Risner could be the safer, better-established option, should the 49ers choose to go that route.