The Steelers have made it clear that they weren’t happy with the play of Kevin Dotson last season based on their moves this offseason. The team inked Nate Herbig to a deal early in free agency. This wasn’t a huge deal, as Herbig is a fringe starter and was getting paid like that. Dotson was expected to at least compete for his guard spot.
That all changed when Isaac Seumalo signed a three-year deal for starter money. There isn’t a question about him starting, as his contract and play with the Eagles make him an instant fit. Add in James Daniels manning the other guard spot and Dotson suddenly looks out of place. Given his experience and cost next season, the Steelers need to trade him.
Why the Steelers should trade Dotson
Dotson has been a very hot and cold player three years into his career. He looked like a mauler and a fourth-round steal as a rookie, battled injuries in year two, and had a third season filled with inconsistencies. Of the three linemen at risk of losing their jobs this season, he was my second most needed starter to replace, and the Steelers agreed.
At this point, he seems like an afterthought, and given his increased cap hit, he should be dealt. Linemen carry decent value as well, as fringe starters typically garner 4th-5th round picks, and I think it is feasible to expect compensation similar for Dotson.
That all said, I’ve dug into four potential trade scenarios that just make sense. Each team has a clear need at guard and they can offer something back to the Steelers in return for Dotson. Here are four potential trades the team can consider for Dotson right now.
Steelers trade option 1: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are the most cut-and-dry trade in this scenario, and it is a deal that makes a lot of sense for both sides. San Francisco is a competitor that is just a few pieces away from being Super Bowl favorites. One of the bigger weaknesses on their roster is the interior of their line. Neither of their guards graded out well, and RG Spencer Burford in particular was a liability for that offense.
The 49ers are also blessed with an insane 11 picks in the draft, all of them being between the third and seventh rounds of the draft. The 49ers showed their willingness to part with these picks in the Christian McCaffrey deal. With so many picks, I have the 49ers sending their last third-round pick (102 overall) in exchange for Dotson.
San Francisco gets an instant starter and upgrade at right guard. While Dotson has his flaws, he is a proven starter and wouldn’t need the development that a rookie would need. For a pretty complete team, dealing a late third-round pick for an upgrade at guard makes sense.
The Steelers get another draft selection to help out their roster and rebuild. Had Dotson been set to compete to start, it wouldn’t be logical to trade him. With the 49ers flush with mid-round picks though, getting good value for him would be well worth it.
Steelers trade option number 2: Seattle Seahawks
The remainder of the trades all include some sort of player in the mix. Seattle is up first, as despite seemingly being a rebuilding team in 2022, have caught fire and are in win-now mode. The offensive line as a whole was good last year at the perimeter. Both of their rookies held up well at tackle, but the interior was a bit lacking.
Phil Haynes stands out as the worst starter of the mix. The right guard didn't grade out favorably with PFF, and Dotson would be an upgrade over him. It would give Seattle a strong line overall which would continue to benefit their offense.
In return, they send the Steelers their sixth-round pick (198 overall) and receiver D’Wayne Eskridge. Eskridge has been a bust since being taken in the second round of the 2021 draft. He has only appeared in 20 total games and has failed to make an impact. That said, the Steelers had some interest in him during that draft year, and they have a huge hole at slot receiver.
The Seahawks send lighter compensation due to them including Eskridge. The Steelers land another pick, albeit a later one, but also receive another option at receiver. This is a trade that would benefit both rosters.
Steelers trade option number 3: Los Angles Rams
The Rams are no strangers to trading picks away for players, especially when their roster has clear holes in it. As was proven last year, the Rams' roster was filled with holes as they struggled to do much of anything as a team. The interior of their line, minus Brian Allen, struggled to make an impact.
Like the 49ers, the Rams have a lot of picks in the middle of the rounds. They send their final seventh-round pick (251 overall) and their sixth-round pick in 2024 as draft compensation for the Steelers. That sixth-round pick could become a fifth if Dotson starts 14 games during the season.
What seals the deal is the trading of backup tight end Brycen Hopkins. The former Purdue tight end famously struggled with his athletic testing and fell to the fourth round. He has developed into a capable reserve that can catch passes when needed as well as block.
As of this writing, the Steelers haven’t brought in a capable backup tight end. Even if they do, Hopkins would be a valuable third option that would give Connor Heyward the versatility to play multiple spots for the offense. That, combined with the draft compensation, makes this a fine deal for Dotson.
Steelers trade option number 4: Miami Dolphins
Like the 49ers, the Dolphins are also in the win-now camp, and they have assembled an offense and defense that can compete. One of their lone weaknesses is left guard. Liam Eichenberg wasn’t just the worst-graded lineman on the Dolphins roster, he was the 75th-ranked guard according to Pro Football Focus.
They also have a defensive lineman that fits the mold of what the Steelers like and has been an up-and-down player in his own right. Raekwon Davis has been a consistent starter since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. While he has been serviceable, he hasn’t become an impact playmaker.
The Dolphins flip him and Dotson straight up in this scenario. Dotson gets to resume his role as a right guard, and he gets partnered with former college partner Robert Hunt (who has carved out a much better career to this point). It also gives the Dolphins no major weaknesses on their line.
The Steelers land Davis, who can remain at nose tackle given his experience there. I also think he could be a viable defensive end given his size, so he could bring some versatility to this line. The trade helps both rosters get better for the 2023 season.
While Dotson has been a starter for the Steelers, the team is ready to go in a different direction. Trading him makes sense, as it gets them some value for their backup and helps their roster get more balanced this season.