The Pittsburgh Steelers selected rookie guard Kevin Dotson with their second, fourth-round pick of the 2020 NFL draft. Many doubted his value as the guard who went to a non-power five school and wasn’t invited to the NFL combine. Despite all the doubt, Dotson earned his way onto the 53-man roster, but critics expected him to receive zero significant playing time.
Kevin Dotson, however, remained prepared. He filled in for the injured Stefen Wisniewski in the fourth quarter of Week 1. Dotson would stay in the lineup and start in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. Despite his lack of preparation In his first NFL start, Kevin Dotson gave up zero pressures in 42 passing snaps. At the end of the week, PFF ranked Dotson as the best guard in Week 2. Not just the best rookie guard, the best guard in the entire NFL in Week 2.
In Week 3 against the Houston Texans, perennial pro-bowler David DeCastro took his starting role back from Kevin Dotson. At the beginning of the week, it was uncertain if DeCastro was at 100%, and the coaching staff considered starting Dotson once again. At the end of the day, the Steelers announced that they would start DeCastro. However, the fact that Dotson could start over the veteran pro-bowler and former All-Pro shows that Dotson has already exceeded his expectations as a late fourth-round draft pick.
Everyone needs to remember that the rookie Dotson did this all without a preseason and a limited offseason. So the possibilities and potential for Dotson are extraordinary. No one would have suspected that the Steelers would find a replacement for their aging offensive line in the 2020 draft. And no one expected that player to come from the fourth-round, but it has happened. And that player’s name is Kevin Dotson.
SUBSCRIBE! CHECK OUT OUR SHOP!
