Former Steelers OL Could Earn Huge Contract after Impressive Season

When the Steelers traded Kevin Dotson this offseason, they saw it as an amicable separation that would benefit both sides. Pittsburgh got more draft picks, while Dotson got a fresh start. For Dotson, they could not have been more right. The Rams switched him back to his natural right guard, and Dotson broke out, having his best season as an NFL player.

Of course, this so happens to be a contract year for Dotson. That could lead him to land a big-time contract in the offseason once free agency opens up. Former NFL agent Joel Corry thinks that Dotson could get as much as $13 million per year.

“Dotson was brought in to provide the Rams offensive line depth after taking all 1,160 of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps last season at left guard,” Corry wrote. “He has thrived at right guard since being inserted in the starting lineup four games into the season. Pass protection has typically been Dotson’s strength. His run-blocking is much improved this season. Dotson was a penalty waiting to happen in 2022. He was flagged 12 times with 11 of the infractions being accepted. Dotson has been only been penalized twice this season.”

He used the contract that Ben Powers received to architect Dotson’s potential deal, and it seems Dotson will get a significant raise this offseason from his rookie contract and shoot up to become one of the highest-paid guards in the NFL.

When you turn on the tape, it’s hard not to love what Dotson is putting out there.  Solid play is not foreign to Dotson at the NFL level. At times, he flashed brilliance with the Steelers, playing with excellent play strength and drive. Yet, he never fully got that going amid injuries and inconsistencies throughout his time with the Steelers. But his steadiness with the Rams is the type of player he would look like without those flaws he presented.

Dotson started his career with the Steelers at right guard in his rookie year, and that was when he impressed and came along quickly. But the team moved him to left guard shortly after that, where he would spend most of his time.

Pittsburgh drafted Dotson in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Dotson played phenomenally during his rookie season, as he made 13 appearances and recorded four starts while not allowing a single sack. He also played a significant role on a historic offensive line that allowed just 14 total sacks all season, the franchise’s lowest mark since 1982.