The Pittsburgh Steelers under the direction of their new GM Omar Khan have been working feverishly this offseason to solidify the offensive line. While the line improved significantly in 2022, it is imperative that they shore up any weaknesses to help protect the young quarterback, Kenny Pickett. So far, the Steelers have signed two guards, Nate Herbig and Isaac Seumalo, but that begs the question of what will happen with current guard Kevin Dotson?
During the 2022 season, Dotson started at left guard with James Daniels at right guard. Now it appears that Seumalo will take that starting position and Dotson will move back on the depth chart. On his podcast, The Arthur Moats Experience, former Steelers linebackers Arthur Moats and Terrance Garvin, discuss if Dotson is best as depth or is he more useful as trade bait.
Moats lays out the current offensive line situation, including the two new signings, and asked Garvin what he thinks of the current configuration and how it all plays out with Dotson. Garvin says signing Seumalo was the move of the summer, unexpected perhaps, but solid.
"I think Isaac's the guy. I don't think we give up on Dotson yet. He's one of them guys, he's always gonna have a shot because he could be elite. I don't think they're just gonna give up on him."
After hearing Garvin's analysis of Dotson, Moats asks him if his potential makes him "trade bait?" Garvin says:
"He's definitely trade bait. I don't know if his value is up right now but he's definitely trade baitable."
Deke, Moats' co-host points out that as it stands, Dotson is fourth on the depth chart behind Seumalo, Daniels, and Herbig. Garvin suggests that they might have Dotson switch sides and Moats points out that several players are already adaptable:
"The problem is this, all the dudes that we just signed can swing as well. Isaac Seumalo could play right guard or left guard. James Daniels who we brought in last year and paid him money can play right guard or left guard. Left guard Mason Cole, who's starting at center, could play right guard or left guard. Nate Herbig, who were paying four to be the backup can play right guard or left guard."
Garvin says he doesn't see Dotson as trade bait at this point.
"He [head coach Mike Tomlin] wanted depth I can tell that. I can see coach Tomlin saying, 'Let's get deep, give me the best you can bring in here, and let's figure it out.' I don't see it as trade bait, because he's good enough."
Moats pushes back more.
"He's good enough but what is his value around the league? Remember we drafted Kendrick Green, and he's still on the roster with 17 starts to a former third-round pick. Say there's a team out there who has a similar scenario, where they're not in love with the person that they drafted a year or two ago. You got a chance to get a Dotson on a rookie deal still, he could potentially come in and beat that guy and be your starter."
Garvin asks Moats if he was that hypothetical team, what would he be willing to give up for Dotson?
"Nothing more than a six (round pick), fifth as the best, if the team is starving. Because you don't have to pay."
The notion of letting Dotson go for so little doesn't sit well with Garvin who still feels the Steelers should keep him for now and see what happens. Moats goes on to say that it is hard to imagine Dotson becoming the new Kendrick Green:
"He goes from a three-year starter to what, inactive? Sitting out there, no helmet. We already did it with Kendrick Green. He went from starting every game to street clothes."
Deke agrees with Garvin saying that the Steelers should keep him until they are sure everyone is healthy and able to play. He adds that he thinks Dotson's value will only go up as we get into the season. Perhaps a team will have guard troubles during training camp and if Dotson is still fourth that might be the time to trade him. Garvin agrees and adds:
"I think you always value big men who can move. Those are high-value people, you can never really have too many big men that can move like that.
Moats asks Garvin how he thinks Dotson will feel about all of this, going from starter to basically being inactive. Garvin had this to say:
"I think he's in one of them boats, like a salty boat, you got to kind of deal with this. I think it's similar to a Mason [Rudolph] boat, you know you're not about to start but you got to deal with this. There's not a whole lot you can do."
Garvin wraps it all up by saying all he can do is have a good attitude and "work while he waits."
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