The Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line was one of the best in the NFL last season, allowing only 23 sacks, which was tied for the fewest of any team. Matthew Stafford would not have had an MVP season if not for the big men up front, including right guard Kevin Dotson.
Since joining the Rams in 2023, Dotson has become a top-tier guard despite being snubbed from the Pro Bowl each year. Entering the 2026 season, which is a contract year for Dotson, he’s poised to keep building on his already impressive resume with the Rams.
He’s the team’s 10th-most important player for the upcoming season.
How he got here
Just before the 2023 season, the Rams traded for Dotson, acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Steelers in what was a late-round pick swap. The Rams gave up a 2024 fourth-rounder and 2025 fifth-rounder for Dotson and a 2024 fifth and 2025 sixth, essentially moving back one round on Day 3 in consecutive drafts.
It was a minimal price to pay for a player who has become a cog on the offensive line, and even his $16 million annual salary is quite a bargain given his talent level.
2025 stats
15 games (15 starts): 87.3 overall grade, 90.3 run-blocking grade, 66.8 pass-blocking grade, 22 pressures allowed, 3 sacks allowed
Projected role
Dotson is back as the Rams’ starting right guard, the position he’s held since taking over in 2023. He’ll line up between Coleman Shelton and Warren McClendon Jr., anchoring down the right side of the line once again. There’s no one challenging his job, but with this being a contract year, it could be his final season in Los Angeles if the Rams don’t sign him to an extension between now and March.
One thing to know
Dotson was a premier run blocker last season, earning a run-blocking grade of 90.3. That was the eighth-best of any offensive lineman last season, and third-best among all guards. Furthermore, his 87.3 overall grade was 11th-best of any offensive lineman.
Why he’s important
Guard isn’t viewed as a premium position in the NFL these days, but Dotson’s importance to the team is undeniable. When Dotson missed the final two games of the regular season and the wild-card game, Justin Dedich filled in and had run-blocking grades of 62.7, 62.1 and 59.9, so it was a clear downgrade. Dedich also allowed 10 pressures in those three games, which is nearly half as many as Dotson gave up in 17 games, including the playoffs.
In an offense that heavily features the run, Dotson’s value to the team is immeasurable. His power allows him to clear sizable lanes for Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, but he’s also an anchor in pass protection, rarely allowing defenders to push him back.
The Rams need Dotson to remain healthy because if they want to run the ball as consistently as they did in 2025, he’ll have to be on the field.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams’ 26 most important players for 2026 – No. 10: RG Kevin Dotson
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
