By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer
THOUSAND OAKS — Right guard Kevin Dotson agreed to terms on a three-year contract to stay with the Rams on Thursday.
The deal is expected to be worth $48 million ($32 million guaranteed) for Dotson, who became one of the NFL’s top-rated guards and a pillar of the Rams’ offense last season after they acquired him from Pittsburgh in training camp.
A fourth-round pick by the Steelers out of Louisiana in 2022, Dotson was consistently graded as one of the league’s best interior offensive linemen by Pro Football Focus and other evaluators during his first season with the Rams. Dotson, 27, started 14 games last season and ended the year as PFF’s second-ranked guard, behind the Atlanta Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom.
Dotson and rookie left guard Steve Avila dramatically boosted the Rams’ offense, which improved from 25th to 11th in the NFL in yards rushing while allowing just 2.0 sacks per game of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was sacked 3.2 times per game in 2022.
Dotson excelled as a run-blocker while also committing only two penalties for the Rams, who finished 10-7 and made the playoffs one year after going 5-12.
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The Rams gave up almost nothing for Dotson, sending 2024 fourth-round and 2025 fifth-round picks to the Steelers for Dotson and 2024 fifth-round and 2025 sixth-round picks.
Dotson largely played left guard for the Steelers, who gave his starting job to Isaac Seumalo.
Dotson and safety Jordan Fuller were expected to be the Rams’ most prominent unrestricted free agents this offseason.
Meanwhile, the Rams plan to place a restricted tender on starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, ESPN reported on Thursday. With the tender, the Rams will have the opportunity to match any offer sheet signed by Jackson, who started 15 games last season.