Bengals, Seahawks To Host Veteran G Dalton Risner; Steelers Also An Option

TODAY, 5:45pm: Risner had a strong workout for the Bengals but didn’t land a contract, according to Schultz. However, the two sides are expected to “stay in touch,” so perhaps the veteran could be a target for the organization down the road.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Risner is set to meet with the Seahawks. The Steelers are also an option for the veteran offensive lineman. Per Fowler, the player is determined to take all of these visits before settling on a final decision.

MONDAY, 9:30pm: Veteran offensive guard Dalton Risner is set to visit the Bengals on Tuesday, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Risner named the Bengals as one of his potential landing spots back in April. Months later, he will go to Cincinnati with the hopes of signing with his third NFL team. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Vikings and started 19 games amid their offensive line injuries.

Risner has been a starter for his entire six-year career, but he has struggled to garner commensurate interest as a free agent. He first hit the open market in 2023 as a four-year starter for the Broncos, but he didn’t sign in Minnesota until September. The Vikings re-signed him in May last offseason, but Risner has once again remained available deep into the preseason this year.

In Cincinnati, Risner can compete for a starting job at either guard spot. The Bengals’ current first-team guards, Lucas Patrick and Dylan Fairchild, were both acquired this offseason and have an early edge on 2024 holdovers Cordell Volson and Cody Ford. Patrick, an eight-year veteran, started 26 games for the Saints over the last two years, while Fairchild’s exploits as the University of Georgia’s left guard made him a third-round pick in April’s draft.

A poor showing from the Bengals’ offensive line on Monday night may give Risner some more leverage when negotiating a potential deal. Cincinnati has been looking to add interior OL depth, per Schultz, and Risner’s strong pedigree as a pass protector may be especially appealing in front of Joe Burrow.

Beanie Bishop, Robert Woods On Steelers’ Roster Bubble

Last season, the Steelers turned to a rookie UDFA as their primary slot cornerback. After some notable additions this offseason, Beanie Bishop is not expected to start again. He is also no longer assured of a roster spot.

Steelers DC Teryl Austin said (via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski) Bishop needs a standout finish to the preseason to “put himself back in the picture.” Being cut before Year 2 would be a quick fall for Bishop, who logged 548 defensive snaps as a rookie.

While Bishop lost his status as a defensive regular during the season’s final month, he logged at least 20 defensive snaps in 13 of Pittsburgh’s 17 games in 2024. Bishop intercepted four passes and broke up seven more as a rookie; Pro Football Focus graded him in the bottom half at the position, ranking the 5-foot-9 cover man 95th at the position.

The Steelers made a blockbuster trade for Jalen Ramsey, unloading Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire the versatile cover man. They had already added Darius Slay and Brandin Echols. The latter has spent most of his career on the boundary but did log 112 slot snaps in 2023. Ramsey has been one of this era’s top perimeter corners, but he has garnered increased slot usage over the past five years. Ramsey has played at least 169 slot snaps in four of the past five seasons, being regularly used at the Rams’ “star” position. A configuration in which Ramsey plays inside while Slay and Joey Porter Jr. work near the boundary makes sense for the Steelers.

Bishop has primarily lined up with the Steelers’ second-team defense during training camp, Adamski adds. Seventh-round pick Donte Kent also factors into the Steelers’ Bishop decision, with the competition for spots fiercer than it was at this time last year — when Cameron Sutton was facing an eight-game suspension to open the season.

The team also has some decisions to make at wide receiver. The Steelers have faced consistent questions about their post-George Pickens plan opposite D.K. Metcalf, but they have hosted Gabe Davis on two visits now — the second coming today. The team also has Roman Wilson back after a lost rookie season, and The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo notes Scotty Miller — an Arthur Smith charge in Atlanta — has been one of Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite targets during camp. These developments move Robert Woods toward Pittsburgh’s roster bubble, DeFabo adds.

Despite Woods’ accomplishments during a 12-year career, he played deep into the fourth quarter in the Steelers’ second preseason game. The Steelers gave Woods (20 catches, 203 yards last season) a one-year, $2MM deal but only guaranteed him $745K, lessening the dead money blow in the event he is cut by the August 26 deadline.

Calvin Austin is set to reprise his role as a starter, while the team also has Ben Skowronek rostered. Woods, 33, could become a practice squad stash, but it may not be a lock the former Bills, Rams, Titans and Texans wideout plays a 13th season. Conversely, DeFabo adds it would surprise if Miller (five receptions, 69 yards in 2024) did not make the roster.