After engaging in talks with Kevin Dotson, the Rams have reached an agreement to keep the 2023 trade acquisition away from free agency. Dotson is staying in L.A.
The sides have agreed to a three-year deal, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, who reports the contract is worth $48M. Convincing Dotson to steer clear of the open market, the Rams are giving the young guard $32M guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This marks a big payday for Dotson, whom the Rams acquired in a swap of Day 3 picks from the Steelers last year. Dotson proceeded to commandeer Los Angeles’ right guard job, giving the team stability there after Super Bowl LVI starters Austin Corbett and David Edwards had departed. The Rams chose Steve Avila with their top draft choice last year; he and Dotson are now both signed through 2026.
The Rams had expected both Dotson and starting center Coleman Shelton to hit the market, but the team came in with a nice offer – one that will make Dotson among the top 10 highest-paid guards in the NFL – to prevent him from speaking with other teams during the legal tampering period. Dotson’s deal comes hours after the Jaguars agreed to terms with Ezra Cleveland. A former fourth-round pick, Dotson is now tied at sixth among guard average annual value; the four-year veteran’s per-year number matches All-Pros Joe Thuney and Joel Bitonio.
This bodes well for what will still be a crowded guard market. Robert Hunt, Jonah Jackson, Jon Runyan Jr. and Michael Onwenu – if he lands as a guard and not a tackle – headline this year’s crop. Dotson’s payout will help the set the market for this batch of second-contract-seeking interior blockers.
Dotson, who will turn 28 early next season, played a lead role in Kyren Williams showcasing Pro Bowl-caliber ability. Pro Football Focus slotted Dotson as the NFL’s second-best run-blocking guard. As the Rams shifted away from a wide-zone scheme, Dotson dominated at points to help Williams run wild. Dotson had started 30 games for the Steelers from 2020-22, including all 17 of Pittsburgh’s 2022 contests. Inconsistency led the Steelers to bail for a low-end return following the team’s Isaac Seumalo signing last year. Seeing the Steelers give Seumalo and James Daniels mid-level deals, Dotson has agreed to a second contract well north of his former teammates’ deals.
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