Steelers scheduled to have formal meeting with Louisiana guard Kevin Dotson at Pro Day

The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing their work of finding, and interviewing, potential players who could wind up being draft picks for the black-and-gold during the 2020 NFL Draft.

During the offseason there are several opportunities for teams to meet with prospects. All-Star games, the NFL Scouting Combine and, of course, colleges individual Pro Days. This equates to some prospects getting three opportunities to not just meet NFL teams, but to showcase their talents.

But what about those players who can’t, or don’t, attend all of these events?

This was the case for offensive guard Kevin Dotson. Dotson is a product of Louisiana, and wasn’t invited to the Combine last week. This means his best chance to showcase his talents were at the East/West game, and at the university’s Pro Day on April 1st.

At said Pro Day, Dotson stated he is going to have a private visit (meeting) with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With prospects like Dotson, it isn’t always easy to find information about the type of player they are. Unless you followed Louisiana’s season, and Dotson’s career, you won’t find much in terms of draft profiles. But that doesn’t mean he can’t play.

The Steelers have shown a tremendous ability to find high level talent both in the later rounds, as well as through undrafted free agent avenues, especially along the offensive line. Players like Chris Hubbard, Kelvin Beachum, B.J. Finney and Matt Feiler all are recent examples of the team’s innate ability to find diamonds in the draft rough.

As for Dotson, he was considered one of the biggest snubs to not be invited to the Combine, per the Draft Network:

KEVIN DOTSON, GUARD, LOUSIANA-LAFAYETTE

Kevin Dotson is by far the biggest combine omission. He was paired alongside Robert Hunt, and the two formed a formidable duo that consistently collected bodies weekly. Dotson has the makings of possibly being a future starter with more development down the road. Already possessing the nastiness of a long-time veteran, he’s a bit of a projection, but one that many teams should be sprinting to the podium to take a chance on during the third day of the draft.

The Draft Network also had this to say about Dotson after the East/West All-Star game earlier this offseason. He was listed as one of the 5 winners throughout the week:

KEVIN DOTSON, OG, LOUISIANA

Kevin Dotson is the lesser heralded teammate of Robert Hunt, who is scheduled to come into Mobile next week for the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl. While Dotson isn’t as polished or as powerful, he’s imposing in his own right as he put on display early at the Shrine Bowl practices. Dotson’s going to need some technical refinement, but seeing him move the way he does at a freshly measured 324 pounds is sure to inspire an NFL offensive line coach.

Dotson has turned heads when given the opportunity to do so, and the Steelers justifiably want a closer look at the 6’4” 321 lbs guard. With the expected departure of Ramon Foster for salary cap purposes, and the unknown future of Unrestricted Free Agent B.J. Finney, the Steelers are in need of interior offensive linemen.

Could Dotson come in and compete for a starting role from Day 1? That has yet to be seen, especially considering the jump a player like Dotson would be expected to make from NCAA to the NFL. The Steelers are interested, and Dotson has played well this offseason. It might just be a good fit for the future of the interior offensive line.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they prepare for the start of the new league year on March 18th, and the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft.