:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67440416/1228621863.jpg.0.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Steelers returned the Heinz Field for their Week 2 matchup against the Denver Broncos. After emerging victorious with a 26–21 win, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gave rookie fourth-round draft pick Kevin Dotson the game ball after his first career start at right guard according to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com.
'I had confidence they would,' - @_BigBen7 on if he thought the right side of the line, with Kevin Dotson and Chuks Okorafor, would hold up
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) September 20, 2020
Ben gave the ball at the end of the game to Dotson and told him to give it to his dad, who has been a life-long Steelers fan.
Dotson was the first player selected in the 2020 NFL draft who did not receive an invitation to the NFL combine. Even without the chance to impress in Indianapolis, the Steelers selected Dotson with their second fourth-round pick of the 2020 draft.
Going into the season third on the depth chart at guard, Dotson was called into action much earlier than expected as All-Pro guard David DeCastro has been unable to take the field with a knee injury. Following the loss of reserve guard Stefen Wisniewski, Dotson filled in the final six snaps in Week 1 and got the start in Week 2.
For some, judging the play of an offensive lineman is not something which stands out while watching a live contest. Because I was interested in how Dotson and Chukwuma Okorafor would perform as they were both getting their first start of the 2020 season, I rewound the majority of the Steelers offensive plays in order to see specifically how they did. While it was not an in-depth breakdown as I was trying to not miss the next snap, both Dotson and Okorafor performed admirably. But if having to choose which player stepped up their game the most, Dotson stood out even more on several plays.
As for the game ball, Dotson took to social media to share some images from the game along with the ball he was awarded from the Steelers.
It’s been a great week pic.twitter.com/bAenfmwH6L
— 6IG 9ASTY (@kdd7696) September 20, 2020
With two new players starting in Week 2 after the injuries sustained to the right side of the offensive line which also included losing Zach Banner for the season, both players silenced critics early and throughout the game. But when it comes specifically to Dotson, Steelers’ fans should be highly encouraged with the future at guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers if Sunday’s game against the Broncos was any indication.
Make sure you tune in to BTSC as there will be continual post-game breakdown of the Steelers 26–21 victory over the Denver Broncos, including the performance of Kevin Dotson.