Dalton Wagner Bio
Dalton Wagner is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was signed by the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Wagner stands at 6 feet 8 inches and has developed as a developmental prospect within the Raiders organization.
Early Life and Background
Dalton Wagner was born on October 5, 1998, in Libertyville, Illinois. He grew up in Spring Grove, Illinois, where he attended Richmond-Burton High School. During his high school career, Wagner was a consensus three-star recruit and started for three seasons. He was ranked as the best player at his position in the state of Illinois by Scout.com, establishing himself as a top prospect in the Midwest.
Wagner demonstrated his athletic potential and football abilities throughout his high school years, earning recognition as the top player at his position in Illinois. His impressive high school career attracted attention from multiple college programs, leading him to make his decision about his football future.
Path to Professional Football
Wagner committed to play college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, joining the program in 2017. He redshirted during his first season with the team, using that year to develop physically and learn the college-level playbook. The following year, Wagner appeared in 11 games, showing glimpses of his potential as a developing offensive lineman.
He became a full-time starter in 2019, beginning a streak of consistent playing time that would define his college career. During the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Wagner played eight games and demonstrated remarkable discipline, being penalized only three times throughout the season. His ability to avoid costly penalties while protecting his quarterback became a defining characteristic of his game.
In 2021, Wagner started 10 games while missing three due to injury. His performance helped Arkansas lead all Power Five teams in rushing yards per game that season. Wagner also took advantage of name, image, and likeness opportunities, signing an NIL contract with WWE in December 2021, becoming one of the early college athletes to leverage this new opportunity.
Dalton Wagner Career
College Career (2017–2022)
Wagner returned to Arkansas for a sixth season in 2022, using an extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was named team captain that season, reflecting the respect he earned from coaches and teammates. Wagner started all 12 games at offensive tackle and earned first-team All-SEC honors from Pro Football Focus, the highest recognition of his college career.
Following the 2022 season, Wagner was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl, one of the premier postseason all-star games for draft-eligible players. He finished his Arkansas career with 40 games started, establishing himself as a durable and reliable offensive lineman in one of college football’s toughest conferences.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023–Present)
Despite some projections suggesting Wagner could be a late-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, he went undrafted. Afterwards, the Las Vegas Raiders signed him as an undrafted free agent. His contract included $225,000 guaranteed, which was the largest among all undrafted signees for the Raiders that year. This significant guarantee demonstrated the team’s belief in his potential as an NFL prospect.
Wagner was placed on injured reserve on August 29, 2023, during his rookie season, which ended his first professional campaign before it truly began. The injury setback required him to spend the remainder of the 2023 season on injured reserve as he recovered and developed within the Raiders organization.
On August 27, 2024, Wagner was waived by the Raiders but was quickly re-signed to the practice squad, keeping him in the system. He signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas on January 6, 2025, securing his spot on the roster for the 2025 season. On August 26, 2025, Wagner was waived as part of final roster cuts before being re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He signed another reserve/future contract with Las Vegas on January 5, 2026.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 8 inches, Wagner possesses exceptional height for an offensive tackle, giving him a natural advantage in pass protection situations. His length allows him to extend his arms and engage defenders at the edge, making him particularly effective in protecting quarterbacks on plays outside the tackles. Wagner has shown discipline in avoiding penalties, recording only three penalties during the 2020 season. He continues to develop his technique and physicality as he works to earn more playing time within the Raiders organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wagner’s career highlights include his first-team All-SEC recognition in 2022 and his selection to the East-West Shrine Bowl. His journey from an undrafted free agent to securing multiple reserve/future contracts with the Raiders demonstrates his perseverance through adversity. The $225,000 guaranteed contract he received as an undrafted free agent was notable, as it represented the largest guarantee the Raiders offered to any undrafted player in 2023.
Dalton Wagner Career Statistics
Wagner has appeared in limited NFL games since joining the league. His college career at Arkansas provided the most extensive game experience of his football career, with 40 starts over six seasons.
College Statistics Highlights
Wagner’s most productive college season came in 2022 when he started all 12 games and earned first-team All-SEC honors. His performance in 2021 helped Arkansas lead all Power Five teams in rushing yards per game. Throughout his career, he demonstrated durability and consistency, starting 40 games total. His ability to avoid penalties while maintaining effectiveness as a run blocker was a hallmark of his game at Arkansas.
Professional Career Statistics
Wagner has played in one NFL game through the 2025 season. His rookie year was spent largely on injured reserve, limiting his on-field opportunities to demonstrate his abilities at the professional level. He has spent significant time on practice squads as he continues to develop and work toward a larger role within the Raiders offensive line rotation.
Dalton Wagner Personal Life
Wagner grew up in Libertyville, Illinois, and considers Spring Grove, Illinois, as his hometown. He maintains an active presence on social media, where he connects with fans under the handle dwags9878 on Instagram. Information about his family, relationships, and personal interests beyond football remains private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents another opportunity for Wagner to compete for playing time on the Raiders roster. After being waived and re-signed to the practice squad during the 2025 season, Wagner signed a reserve/future contract, indicating the team’s continued interest in his development. His limited game experience through his first three professional seasons highlights the challenges faced by undrafted free agents trying to establish themselves in the NFL. Wagner continues working to refine his technique and earn additional opportunities within the Raiders offensive line rotation heading into future seasons.