Grading Steelers stellar rookies halfway through 2020 season

Kevin Dotson

Grade: B

Kevin Dotson has been a pleasant surprise early into his Steelers career. The mauling guard from Louisiana was drafted with the hope of eventually developing into a starter. He was known for his fierce run blocking in college but his lack of technique as a pass blocker. This caused him not to be invited to the combine, which is the reason Dotson was still available in the fourth round.

Early returns have been extremely promising, as he has yet to give up a sack despite playing 190 snaps and starting two games. If those games are a sign of things to come, the Steelers have hit a homerun here. He could be a starter for years to come and even has the potential to develop into one of the better guards in the league. The fact he has been so sound as a pass blocker already is a great sign towards his development.

As a fourth-round pick, he was expected to have a start or two and play a couple more snaps as a reserve. As well, he seemed like a player that would struggle in pass protection early. So far, he has already played more often than most would have thought he would, and he hasn’t had many of those rookie struggles. If he develops more of a permanent role this year, this grade will go up. If not, he has still exceeded expectations as a rookie.