​Neither of the Los Angeles Rams’ starting interior offensive linemen appeared in ESPN’s annual ranking of the top NFL players as determined by executives, coaches, and scouts. Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila were left off the top-10 list, though they did receive votes in the broader ballot. This omission stands out when considering how highly both were rated by Sports Illustrated and the strong seasons they each delivered.
Dotson, who plays right guard, closed the season with an 86.4 overall Pro Football Focus grade, placing him third among 81 qualified guards. He logged 885 offensive snaps and demonstrated notable prowess in the run game. The Rams’ ground attack noticeably suffered when Dotson missed Week 16 due to an ankle injury, a stretch that spanned more than three games. During his absence, Los Angeles averaged 4.0 yards per carry as a team, compared with 4.8 yards per carry with him on the field. His value extended late in games, where he often stood his ground and helped preserve late leads or secure crucial running drives.
Avila, lining up at left guard, achieved a career-best 76.8 overall PFF grade, which ranked ninth among qualified guards. He also posted a 74.1 run-blocking grade, 11th at the position. In total, Avila allowed 14 pressures over the season, including one sack and five quarterback hits, while committing only a single penalty across 835 snaps. This campaign marked his most efficient pass-blocking season since entering the league as a 2023 second-round pick from TCU, underscoring his steady development and reliability at the interior line.
Together, Dotson and Avila form one of the league’s more productive guard tandems, delivering high-value performance that often goes under the radar, especially in the absence of a top-10 league-wide endorsement from evaluators. Both players are in the final year of their contracts in 2026, setting the stage for a pivotal offseason for the Rams. The timing could influence how the team approaches the interior line in the near term, including potential extensions, restructures, or personnel changes aimed at maintaining or elevating the quality of the protection and run blocking up front.
This overview reflects reporting from Rams Wire and highlights how these two guards have been integral to the Rams’ offensive success, even if ESPN’s survey did not place them in the top tier of recognized linemen for that cycle. The conversation around their value is likely to continue into the 2026 offseason as Los Angeles weighs options for sustaining a competitive frontline.