PFF names player Steelers traded top upcoming offensive free agent

The Pittsburgh Steelers had an uncharacteristically active offseason, and Pro Football Focus believes they let go of a player who will be one of the most coveted free agents in 2024.

PFF named Los Angeles Rams guard Kevin Dotson, whom Pittsburgh traded to L.A. in August, its No. 8 upcoming offensive free agent.

"What first appeared like an odd fit should have instead been a signal that head coach Sean McVay was reinventing his offense to much success in 2023," PFF's Brad Spielberger wrote. "Dotson has been a picture-perfect fit. He has always been a strong pass protector, which has carried over, as well."

Dotson, a fourth-round pick in 2020, has certainly made the most of his contract year, allowing only four sacks and being penalized twice in 726 snaps played.

The Steelers no longer had room for Dotson on their roster after paying guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels the past couple of years, and the Rams were able to get him for a bargain.

Pittsburgh sent Dotson, its 2024 fifth-rounder and its 2025 sixth-rounder for Los Angeles' 2024 fourth-rounder and 2025 fifth-rounder.

Dotson credited much of his success this season to the Rams switching him back to his primary position of right guard instead of left guard, where the Steelers had been playing him. It's safe to say things have worked out quite well.

The 27-year-old is projected to receive a four-year, $69 million contract in the offseason, which may just be with Los Angeles after a dominant 2023 campaign.

The Dotson trade seems to be the latest head-scratching move by Pittsburgh in what feels to be a lost season. The Steelers have a lot of holes to fill in the offseason, and maybe keeping Dotson would have given them one less position to worry about.