The Los Angeles Rams face an important decision on this veteran guard's future with the team.
The Los Angeles Rams have been urged to make offensive lineman Kevin Dotson a priority extension candidate as he is set to become a free agent in 2027.
While much of the attention this offseason has been centered on the Rams’ blockbuster addition of Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, the future of the offensive line remains an important issue the organization may need to address sooner rather than later.
Los Angeles appears poised for a strong 2026 campaign, but there are still questions surrounding the long-term outlook of the offensive front. With the potential for significant turnover after the season, securing Dotson could help provide stability and continuity for years to come.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz believes extending Dotson should be their final move of this offseason.
"The Rams' starting guards are set to be free agents at the end of this season, and it would be a lot easier to find one new starting guard than it would be to find two. Given where the Rams are in their developmental cycle, it probably makes more sense to extend Dotson, who has better metrics than left guard Steve Avila. If the Rams are more concerned with setting up the position long term, then they should extend the 27-year-old Avila rather than the 30-year-oldDotson -- or, if they extend them both, they could extend Avila for longer."
Dotson is set to enter the final season of his current three-year, $48 million contract, which includes a $32 million in guaranteed money and an average annual value of $16 million.
The 29-year-old will be a free agent next offseason. Unfortunately for the Rams, they will have a number of their starting offensive linemen who will enter free agency in 2027, including Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Warren McClendon Jr., David Quessenberry, and Justin Dedich.
Four of the six offensive linemen set to be free agents in 2027 are starters. Potentially losing a significant portion of that group next offseason could create major problems for the offense and Matthew Stafford.
Avila is among those offensive linemen who are eligible for an extension this summer, as he is set to enter the final season of his rookie deal. Since arriving in Los Angeles as a second-round pick in 2023, the 26-year-old has established himself as one of the Rams' most reliable young players and one of the standout members of a draft class that also produced Puka Nacua.
According to Spotrac, Avila's market value is at $13 million. As for Dotson, his market value is at $19 million.
Doston is more than worthy of an extension.
After being a castoff with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Mississippi native has been a standout in Los Angeles. He's been transformative and has been an anchor for the Rams' offensive line. Dotson has proven to be elite with his stellar physical play and run-blocking prowess, which has made him one of the top offensive linemen on the team.
Last season, Dotson had the third-highest grade from the guard spot overall, which was driven by his 89.3 run-blocking grade according to PFF.
