By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
Is making claims after one game considered jumping to conclusions? Maybe. But I am doing it anyways!
After the Pittsburgh Steelers victory in week two against the Denver Broncos, one thing was clear. That is that the right side of the Steelers offensive line (Kevin Dotson #69 and Chukwuma Okorafor #76) belong in this league.
Dotson even impressed so much that Ben Roethlisberger gave him the game ball to give to his father, who just so happens to be a lifelong Steelers fan. Now if that type of praise from a future Hall of Fame QB is any indication on his performance, there is something to be happy about.
Dotson made his first start against the Broncos due to multiple injuries on the offensive line. With both David DeCastro and Stefen Wisniewski out for week two, the rookie was forced into action sooner than anticipated.
Even after impressing in his first start, it appears Dotson will be relegated to backup duties yet again in week three. This is not due to performance, but due to the fact that DeCastro is expected to return. He won't be able to prove his first game performance isn't a fluke just yet, but a good first impression is always nice from a rookie.
Similarly to Dotson, Okorafor also was put into action due to injuries. Okorafor and Zach Banner battled for the starting right tackle spot in training camp, with the latter winning that battle. However, Banner went down with a season ending injury near the end of the Steelers week one victory against the New York Giants.
Okorafor isn't a rookie, but he is still pretty green. He has only started 4 games prior to last week through his first two NFL seasons, all at right tackle.
Unlike Dotson, Okorafor should continue to start on the right side for the foreseeable future. Okorafor was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Steelers, and they still have high hopes for him. Still being only 23, if he is able to prove to be a capable starter now, there will be no limit on his upside.
Let us know below what you think of Dotson's and Okorafor's opening performance to the 2020 season!
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