5 Steelers who desperately need to develop in the 2022 offseason

Steelers Kevin Dotson

One of the hyped-up additions from the 2020 draft class was Kevin Dotson, as the guard had a nasty streak that was seen in a limited fashion as a rookie that year. Expectations were high for Dotson, as most expected him to become the best lineman on this team and lead this new line in a new direction. While his second season wasn’t bad, it was far more average than extraordinary, and Dotson failed to live up to the expectations laid out for him.

Part of the issue was his health, as Dotson only played about half of the offensive snaps and ended the season on injured reserve. While being upset over a player getting injured is unfair, his play when healthy wasn’t anything astounding. Again, he wasn’t bad, but that mean streak he showed as a rookie wasn’t there in 2021.

This offseason will be critical for Dotson. Considering the Steelers will almost certainly be adding more new faces to this group, Dotson will have to show the promise that many saw in him as a rookie. If not, his value as a player will fall down into the average category. While there is nothing wrong with getting an average starter in the fourth round, it would be a disappointment if that is all that he became after so much promise in year one.