Kevin Dotson started 30 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the last three years after being a fourth-round pick in 2021. He’s played left and right guard, showing good versatility between the two spots, but Pittsburgh wanted to go in a different direction this year.
With the Rams looking for offensive line depth, the two sides struck a deal just before final roster cuts, giving Dotson a fresh start in a new city. He comes to the Rams not as a projected starter, but a quality backup at either guard spot.
Dotson will have a chance to potentially earn a starting role at some point if Steve Avila or Tremayne Anchrum Jr. gets hurt, but for now, he’s just excited to prove himself to his new team.
“It’s a new opportunity,” Dotson told TheRams.com. “I like the places I’ve been now. California’s a nice state to be in weather-wise, a lot of stuff to do. I like the team, I like my o-line group, so I feel like it’s all going to come together.”
Dotson may have fallen out of favor with the Steelers, but he hopes to show he’s capable of being a starting guard again. He’s been a solid player in pass protection, earning pass-blocking grades between 77.6 and 87.2 in each of the last three years, allowing just seven sacks in that span.
In Dotson’s mind, though, he’s better as a run blocker, despite PFF’s grades suggesting otherwise.
“I feel like my strength is in run-blocking,” Dotson said. “I feel like I’m pretty good in pass (blocking) also. And I’m a real team player when it comes to it. Everybody on the Steelers, they’ll vouch for me knowing that I’m a good guy, so I just try to bring that energy here too.”
Dotson will be a free agent after this season but if he steps up and plays well, he could choose to re-sign with the Rams, potentially as one of their starters in 2024. He has a lot to prove this season, both for himself and to his new team.
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