Demar Dotson - Pro Football Rumors

OL Demar Dotson Has Received Multiple Offers

April 24th, 2021 at 9:38am CST by Ben Levine

Demar Dotson may be getting up there in age, but it doesn’t sound like he’s looking to hang up his cleats just yet. Speaking to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the veteran offensive lineman revealed that he has received a handful of league-minimum offers but is remaining patient in pursuit of the ideal opportunity (Twitter link).

It’s not a surprise that there’s a market for the lineman. There’s always a demand for experience, versatile offensive linemen, especially one with Dotson’s resume. The lineman has put together a 12-year career despite going undrafted out of Southern Mississippi in 2009. He spent more than a decade with the Buccaneers organization, starting 106 of his 130 appearances.

Dotson joined the Broncos last offseason on a one-year pact, and he didn’t allow a single sack in any of his eight games. The veteran also only had one false start penalty and zero holding penalties, making it one of the more disciplined campaigns of his career.

As Dotson told Klis, his family recently welcomed their fifth child, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Dotson, who turns 36 midway through the 2021 campaign, decides to retire. However, it also sounds like the right situation (whether it be based on financials, winning, or playing time) would keep him around the league.

Graham Glasgow Tests Positive For COVID-19; Broncos Cancel Practice

October 30th, 2020 at 2:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both the Broncos and Chargers will enter the weekend with a starting offensive lineman on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Graham Glasgow tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss Sunday’s game against the Bolts, Mike Klis of 9News reports.

Vic Fangio canceled the team’s Friday practice. The NFL did not mandate this move. This comes a day after Anthony Lynn nixed the Chargers’ in-person workout. Los Angeles will be without center Ryan Groy on Sunday after his positive COVID-19 test. As of Friday afternoon, the AFC West matchup remains scheduled for Sunday.

The Broncos identified starting right tackle Demar Dotson and reserve center Austin Schlottmann as close Glasgow contacts. Both would be able to suit up Sunday were they to submit negative tests Saturday. Each O-lineman tested negative Friday, per Klis.

Denver offensive line coach Mike Munchak has been away from the team this week due to COVID-19 protocols, per Klis, though the team did not announce if its second-year assistant tested positive. Running backs coach Curtis Modkins tested positive earlier this month, and Klis adds multiple staffers have as well.

The Broncos signed Glasgow to a four-year, $44MM contract this offseason. Glasgow has been an upper-echelon guard starter for a while, establishing a strong free agency market after a solid run in Detroit. Schlottmann would be in line to replace Glasgow at right guard, were he to be cleared to play.

Broncos To Start Brett Rypien Vs. Jets

September 29th, 2020 at 1:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

In what will seemingly become an increasingly difficult sell as a nationally televised game, Thursday’s Broncos-Jets clash will include another different Denver quarterback. The matchup between the winless teams will feature Brett Rypien calling signals for the Broncos, Vic Fangio confirmed Tuesday.

Rypien, who replaced Jeff Driskel in the Broncos’ Week 3 loss to the Buccaneers, will become Denver’s ninth starting quarterback since Peyton Manning‘s retirement. Fangio said Driskel may see time against the Jets, per Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter), but the Broncos are trying one of their other backups while Drew Lock continues his rehab effort.

Since Manning’s retirement, the Broncos have used Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, Lock and Driskel as starters — the most in the NFL since 2016. Rypien, a second-year UDFA out of Boise State and nephew of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, went 8-for-8 in garbage time against the Bucs. He started four seasons for the Mountain West’s Broncos outfit, throwing 90 career TD passes at Boise State.

The injury-plagued Broncos signed Blake Bortles last week but were unlikely to use him for a short-week game. Should Lock need the estimated five- or six-week timetable to recover from his rotator cuff strain, it represents a decent bet Bortles will see time — given his experience edge on Rypien and Driskel. Rypien, at least, will play behind a more experienced right tackle than Driskel did. Longtime Bucs starter Demar Dotson will take over for the injured Elijah Wilkinson, Fangio said.

AFC West Notes: Williams, Raiders, Broncos

September 4th, 2020 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

As cut day approaches, let’s take a look at the latest news coming out of the AFC West:

As Hard Knocks viewers observed, Mike Williams suffered a shoulder injury while diving for a pass in practice. While Williams was said to be out “for a while,” Chargers offensive coordinator Shane Steichen noted recently the fourth-year wideout may well return for Week 1. “Mike’s gotta be ready to play,” Steichen said, via the Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano (on Twitter). “I think Mike has got that mindset to be ready to play. We look forward to having him on September 13.” A thin Bolts receiver depth chart — beyond WR1 Keenan Allen — increases the importance of Williams returning.
Rookie Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette suffered a setback recently. The first-round pick sustained a thumb fracture, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This will require Arnette to wear a soft cast on his injured hand, which he did at one point with the Buckeyes. The Raiders are counting on Arnette to play a key role in their secondary this season.
One of Mike Williams‘ ex-Chargers receiver teammates will not play this season. The Raiders placed Tyrell Williams on IR this week, ending his second season with the team. Tyrell Williams suffered a torn shoulder labrum for the second time as a pro, and Jon Gruden said an attempt to play through this malady would have required Williams to wear a movement-restricting harness (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur). With a Williams cut saving the Raiders $11MM-plus next year, he looms as a likely 2021 release.
Although Demar Dotson operated as the Buccaneers’ starting right tackle for the past eight seasons, his Broncos signing does not mean he will stay a first-stringer. The current Denver plan is for Elijah Wilkinson to again fill Ja’Wuan James‘ position, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post notes. Dotson would then play a swing role behind Wilkinson and embattled left tackle Garett Bolles. Whether Wilkinson starts in Week 1 or not, the Broncos will enter a seventh straight year with a different right tackle to open a season.

Contract Details: Decker, Mixon, Ngakoue, Dotson

September 2nd, 2020 at 5:00pm CST by Ben Levine

There have been a handful of extensions, reworked contracts, and brand-new deals signed over the past few weeks. We’ve provided updates on some of those notable deals below:

Taylor Decker, LT (Lions): Four-year, $60MM extension. Includes $7.5MM signing bonus (paid out in 17 installments in 2020). Salaries: $6.85MM (2020), $13MM fully guaranteed (2021), $14.75MM fully guaranteed (2022), $13.7MM (2023), $12.95MM (2024). $250K workout bonuses (2022-2024), $500 roster bonus (2024). Via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter.
Joe Mixon, RB (Bengals): Four-year, $48MM extension. Includes $10MM signing bonus. Salaries: $1.3MM (2020), $8MM (2021), $8MM (2022), $9.4MM (2023). $9.6MM club option in 2024. $500K in playing time bonuses, $200K in offseason workout bonuses (each season). Via Rapoport on Twitter.
Yannick Ngakoue, DE (Vikings): One year, $12MM reworked deal. $8MM base salary and $4MM signing bonus. Via Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling on Twitter.
Demar Dotson, RT (Broncos): One-year, $3MM deal. $1.15MM salary ($400K guaranteed). $100K roster bonus, $250K game-day roster bonuses. $1.5MM in incentives. Via Mike Klis of 9News on Twitter.

Broncos Sign RT Demar Dotson

August 12th, 2020 at 10:17am CST by Rory Parks

The Broncos have signed veteran RT Demar Dotson, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was first to report (via Twitter). Mike Klis of 9News.com says that it’s a one-year, $3MM pact with $400K in guarantees.

Dotson, 34, is a UDFA success story. After going undrafted in 2009, he hooked on with the Buccaneers and ultimately spent 11 years in Tampa. He had been the club’s full-time starter at right tackle since the 2012 season.

He just completed the second of two contract extensions he signed with the Bucs after his rookie deal, and though he missed 18 games across the 2015-17 seasons, he started 15 contests in both 2018 and 2019. He has never received a Pro Bowl nod and has yet to play in a playoff game, but with 106 career starts to his credit, he provides Denver with a steady and experienced option at RT.

According to Klis, the plan is for Dotson to back up Elijah Wilkinson, who started 12 games at RT last year in the wake of Ja’Wuan James‘ injury problems and who will reprise that role in 2020 now that James has elected to opt out of the season. Dotson could step in should Wilkinson underperform or suffer an injury, and Wilkinson could shift over to the left side if LT Garett Bolles continues to struggle or sustains an injury of his own. Such a development would also open up a starting job for Dotson.

Bruce Arians Addresses Several Bucs Issues

June 9th, 2019 at 7:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Coming out of retirement after one year off, Bruce Arians took on an interesting challenge in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers own the NFC’s longest playoff drought at 11 seasons and have a quarterback in Jameis Winston who has not lived up to expectations.

The 66-year-old coach, the oldest to ever be hired, expressed optimism on several fronts recently. He broke down several aspects of the team, including Winston, in an expansive interview with the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud.

The team did not draft an offensive lineman this offseason and signed only likely backup Earl Watford, but the team did reach an extension with left tackle Donovan Smith and pick up right tackle Demar Dotson‘s 2019 option. Dotson is the longest-tenured Buccaneer at 10 seasons. Dotson is in the final year of his contract — one that pays the 33-year-old right tackle just $3.975MM in base salary this season.

“I’m comfortable. I think when we get those guys healthy, when those five guys are out there or four of the five, we’ve been pretty good,” Arians said, via Stroud, of the Bucs’ offensive front. “… “I’ll tell you the guy that probably did better than anybody is Demar Dotson. I mean, he’s competed harder. He’s a pleasant, pleasant surprise.”

As for what the Bucs still need, Arians said edge rusher and offensive line swing men remain possibilities for outside pickups. Tampa Bay added Shaquil Barrett earlier this offseason but have Jason Pierre-Paul set to miss at least the first month of the season (and probably more time). The Bucs ranked 32nd in defensive DVOA last season.

“There might be a free agent out there. Right now, I don’t know,” Arians said. “We’re always looking on the edge. I mean, defensively, we’re fine. … Offensively, we could use help in the offensive line for depth. You cannot have enough. So we’ll be looking probably around preseason (Game) 3 to see what is available, if we feel that need is still there.”

Pierre-Paul will not undergo surgery for the neck injury he sustained in a May car accident. Considering he registered 12.5 sacks in his first year as a Buccaneer, this obviously leaves a gaping hole on the team’s defense. Arians said recently a five- to six-month recovery may be in the cards for the 30-year-old edge player, which puts his 2019 season in question. In this latest round of comments, however, Arians said that while September is out of the question, he did not want to firmly indicate October would be as well.

“I would think so,” Arians told Stroud when asked about if October will be the earliest the edge defender could return. “Just to be safe and not rush it. And knowing him, he’s one of those fast healers. So I hate to put a time limit on him but the earlier the better. As long as he’s healthy.”

Buccaneers Pick Up Demar Dotson’s Option

March 7th, 2019 at 10:00am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers picked up the 2019 option on Demar Dotson‘s contract, according to a team announcement. With that, the right tackle will remain in the fold this season with a $4.8MM cap number.

Per the terms of Dotson’s deal, the Bucs had until March 12 to trigger the additional year. However, the Bucs did not feel the need to wait until the eve of free agency to make the decision. Given the inflation of this year’s tackle market, it was an easy choice for Tampa to keep the 6’9″ starter on a relatively cheap deal.

Last year, Dotson missed 18 regular season games between 2015-2017, but missed only one contest in 2018. Playing opposite of Donovan Smith – who inked a lucrative new deal with the club on Tuesday – Dotson graded out as the 44th best tackle in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

Dotson, 34 in October, has been with the Bucs since joining the club as an undrafted free agent in 2009.

Demar Dotson Undergoes Meniscus Surgery

April 15th, 2018 at 5:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers’ starting right tackle for the past six seasons, Demar Dotson‘s run into more knee trouble. And he will not be partaking in any of the team’s offseason activities as a result.

Dotson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). While he’ll be out for months, the Bucs’ current belief is the 32-year-old blocker will be ready in time for training camp.

This is the latest batch of knee trouble for Dotson, who saw a knee malady send him to IR in November of last year. He also missed much of the 2015 season with an MCL injury. This coming season stands to be his 10th — all with Tampa Bay. The Bucs picked up his option in March, signalling the plan will be to keep him at his current post. Dotson’s team-friendly contract (just less than $10MM remains on it) runs through the 2019 season.

Dotson enjoyed another strong season in 2017, grading as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 overall tackle. He’s missed 18 games over the past three seasons, with this stretch following a healthy run of three straight 16-game campaigns for the former UDFA.

Bucs Exercise Options For Dotson, Conte

March 7th, 2018 at 10:07am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers will pick up the one-year option for 2018 on the contracts for tackle Demar Dotson, safety Chris Conte, and defensive back Josh Robinson, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter).

Dotson played nearly every offensive snap (97.1%) for Tampa last year until he was placed on IR in late November. He had a tremendous year, grading out as the league’s No. 7 ranked tackle, per Pro Football Focus. A former undrafted free agent, Dotson has been with the Bucs since the 2009 season but didn’t become a starter until 2012. He has come on strong in recent years and he’s well worth the $4.6MM cap hit for Tampa Bay. The team also has him under control for 2019 when he is slated to carry a $4.85MM cap hit.

Conte played in all 16 games last year, starting 14. He didn’t set the world on fire as he was ranked No. 57 at his position by PFF, but his option also wasn’t pricey. The Bucs will pay $125K to keep him on board to go along with his $2.25MM base, giving him a total of $2.375MM for the coming year.