Los Angeles Rams Guard Kevin Dotson Earns Midseason Honor From PFF
After allowing 59 sacks, the third most in the league, last season, the Los Angeles Rams made it a priority to upgrade the offensive line over the offseason.
Some of their acquisitions came through the draft, with the most notable rookie being second-round pick Steve Avila. However, their most important addition up front came in the form of a seemingly small trade just before the season. On Aug. 27, the Rams sent a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for guard Kevin Dotson.
Dotson began the season as a backup, but once he got into the starting lineup, he took full advantage of the opportunity. The 27-year-old has been rock-solid for L.A., so much so that he's currently the league's highest-graded guard, according to Pro Football Focus.
Dotson during his time with the Steelers.
With the season just past the halfway point, PFF released its midseason All-Pro team and gave Dotson his due recognition.
"Quietly putting together his best season in the NFL, the 2020 fourth-round draft pick's 87.5 PFF run-blocking grade trails only [Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman] Tyler Smith among guards," PFF writes. "His pass blocking hasn’t reached that level, but he still ranks in the top 20 at the position in that regard."
Interestingly, Dotson's stats are somewhat of an inverse of what they have been previously. During his time with the Steelers, Dotson was a great pass blocker but a pedestrian in run-blocking. This season, though, run-blocking has been Dotson's strength, although he is still more than serviceable as a pass blocker.
The Louisiana product is due to become a free agent at season's end, but with the way he's playing this season, he is making quite the strong case to stick around in Los Angeles.
