The Rams’ offensive line depth got a little bit better this weekend when the team acquired guard Kevin Dotson from the Steelers in a swap of draft picks. It’s unclear if the team sees Dotson as an immediate starter on the interior or someone to back up Steve Avila and Tremayne Anchrum Jr., but Dotson has started 30 games in his three-year career so he’s gained plenty of experience in the NFL.
Obviously, the Steelers didn’t think very highly of Dotson coming into this season as he was slated to be a backup to Isaac Seumalo at left guard, but the Rams were willing to move down one round in each of the next two drafts and also pay him $2.74 million this year, so they must like his game.
Pro Football Focus’ grades for Dotson give us some idea of where he excels on the field and where he can improve. Here are Dotson’s run-blocking and pass-blocking grades in the last three years.
Run blocking
- 2022: 61.1
- 2021: 60.8
- 2020: 55.1
Pass blocking
- 2022: 77.6
- 2021: 78.4
- 2020: 87.2
It’s easy to see that Dotson has been a much better blocker in pass protection than he has been in the running game. As a rookie in 2020, he didn’t give up a single sack and allowed just one pressure in 219 pass-blocking snaps between left guard and right guard. In 2021, he allowed three sacks and 10 pressures, which are still very good numbers considering he played 354 snaps in pass protection. Last year, he gave up a career-high four sacks and 16 pressures but he also played a career-high 686 snaps as a pass blocker.
Penalties have plagued Dotson in his career, particularly last season. He was called for 12 penalties in 2022, which was the second-most of any guard in the NFL. His 16 pressures allowed were just the 10th-fewest of all qualifying guards in the league, which gives you an idea of the job he did in pass protection.
As a former fourth-round pick, Dotson has some talent, especially in the passing game where he’s been a consistent blocker on the interior, but he needs to cut down on penalties and improve as a run blocker.
