Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 NFL Draft Grades
By John Newman
Grade: A
The Pittsburgh Steelers really went off the beaten trail in the 2020 NFL Draft, scouting offensive guard prospects like Kevin Dotson all the way down at Louisiana-Lafayette. With their lack of draft picks this year, it was necessary they go out and look for the hidden talents in college football and Colbert has successfully done that this year.
Kevin Dotson is one of those hidden talents. At 6-foot-4, 321-pounds, he has the size and body to be a guard in the NFL. A redshirt senior in 2019, Dotson has three seasons of consistent offensive line duty for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Dotson made quality contributions on Louisiana’s offensive line as a quality run and pass blocker. Although playing against Sun Belt competition, Dotson was able to put on film quality blocking and looks to be one of the better interior offensive lineman drafted on Day Three of the 2020 NFL Draft. PFF had Dotson listed as the highest graded run-blocking guard in the entire draft.
How he’ll look against NFL pass-rushing is anybody’s guess, but he showed enough strength and form in college to warrant a backup role on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Considering the turnover this team’s offensive line will be seeing in the next few years, having as many quality back-ups on the roster as they can will help mitigate the exodus when it comes.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have already lost guard Ramon Foster to retirement this past offseason. Center Maurkice Pouncey had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2019. And recently acquired guard Stefen Wisniewski, while on a two-year deal, has never lasted as the starter on any of the now five teams he has played for since 2011. At 31-years old, it is hard to gauge how many years Wisniewski has left in the NFL and it is unlikely the journeyman guard will be part of Colbert’s long-term plans on the offensive line.
The good news for Colbert is the offensive line looks set for the 2020 season and shouldn’t need to rely on Dotson, short of an injury to Wisniewski. The bad news is this offensive line looks to see a lot of turnover in the next few seasons. And with the team needing to find quality replacements at quarterback, wide receiver, running back, offensive tackle and center in the next few drafts, finding room for an elite interior offensive lineman in the early rounds is doubtful.
If Dotson can find a way to hold back pass-rushers in the NFL, he could easily find a role for himself in the next season or two. If not, he will still be a quality backup during his rookie contract and a depth piece that can be packaged in trade bait while he develops. Not too bad for a compensatory pick.