The Rams are set to add some offensive line depth in former Steelers guard Kevin Dotson, first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, the acquisition comes via trade as Los Angeles will send a 2024 fourth- and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for Dotson, a 2024 fifth-, and a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Dotson is heading into his fourth year of NFL play after being drafted in the fourth round by the Steelers back in 2020. Since then, he has started 30 games, mostly at left guard, establishing himself as a full-time starter by his sophomore NFL season.
After only starting four games while appearing in 13 as a rookie, Dotson entered the 2021 season as a full-time starter. After nine starts to open the season, though, Dotson suffered an ankle injury that would keep him off the field for the rest of the season. He returned with a vengeance in 2022, starting all 17 games for Pittsburgh at left guard.
It will be interesting to see if Dotson can compete for a starting job in Los Angeles right away. TCU second-round pick Steve Avila is slotted in as the starting left guard, while Tremayne Anchrum is penciled in at right guard. Avila should be given every opportunity to start as a rookie, but Anchrum, on the other hand, has only started one game over his three years with the Rams.
Los Angeles recently introduced projected starting left tackle Joseph Noteboom to the right guard spot as part their attempt to determine the best possible configuration of their top linemen. Noteboom has also never spent a full season as a starter, though, and bringing Noteboom over obviously opens the left tackle slot for competition.
If Dotson can come in and solidify the right guard spot, it could solve the problem of experience at the guard position and also keep Noteboom kicked outside where he’s been working. In the Rams search to play their best five linemen, Dotson’s addition should help immensely.
In Pittsburgh, the move comes with a bit of relief. Despite losing their starting left guard from last year, the team will save $2.75MM in cap money by trading Dotson away. Last year’s starting right guard, James Daniels, should remain in his starting role, while free agent addition Isaac Seumalo is the one who made Dotson superfluous in the first place.
Good for Dotson. Great for Pittsburgh. He wasn’t going to make the team, but he should get a good opportunity to play in LA.
I actually like this trade too. an extra 4th is key for moving up in R2 etc
always liked Dotsons upside, but had bad timing with injuries. still has a chance to become a regular.
LOVE that the Steelers o-line doesn’t need “solid players with upside” anymore
Should have thrown in K. Green for a bag of footballs.
They’re not giving up footballs that easy
Steelers do well w later round picks I like getting the 4th
They’ve drafted 3 Hall of Famers at pick positions that would be the equivalent of a 4th round selection today. Mike Webster, Jim Finks and Ara Parseghian (with the later gaining his HOF honors in the NCAA as a HC)
Don’t forget Limas Sweed.
He gets a pass for his hit in the AFC Championship game against the Ravens in 09/10.
As a Steelers fan I like the trade to move up a round in two consecutive drafts. A bit confused about why the Rams would make this trade though. There’s about to be approximately 40-50 linemen cut within days they could pick up without giving away draft capital and the Rams in the last handful of years traded away a bunch of picks then salary dumped a lot of players. Moving back isn’t as bad as giving away picks and 2 million isn’t going to break the bank but still why do it?
I imagine they like Dotson, specifically, and wanted to ensure they got him. A guy with his starting experience, youth, and perceived upside would have been in high demand on the open market.
Feels like a rare win-win for both teams. Heck, win-win-win, as it is good for Dotson too!