Gennings Dunker is part of a loaded Pittsburgh Steelers 10-player draft class. And as the fifth of those 10 selections, many don’t expect Dunker to be the quickest contributor. But there is a route to him earning the most snaps of any Steelers rookie in 2026, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo believes.
“I think he could have a chance to start, or play very early. And then once he gets into the lineup, you would imagine he’s going to be an every-down type of guy,” DeFabo said Wednesday on his Yinziders podcast.
While Dunker played primarily at tackle at Iowa, guard may be his quickest route to a starting position with the Steelers. And with Mason McCormick holding down the right guard spot, left guard would be the most ideal spot. It’s a position open for the taking, with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman being his biggest competition.
The Steelers likely wouldn’t have drafted Dunker in the third round if they were especially confident in those two. And Dunker’s skill set is a good fit for the position. He doesn’t have quick feet and doesn’t move laterally especially well. But he’s an extremely tough blocker, especially in the run game, with an anchor strong enough to hold his ground against bigger interior pass rushers.
His biggest challenge could be moving to a position where he doesn’t have a lot of experience. Yet, with a strong showing this summer, he certainly could earn the role.
DeFabo explained why Dunker could see more snaps than two players picked before him, Germie Bernard and Max Iheanachor.
“You figure [Bernard] probably fits in behind DK Metcalf, and behind Michael Pittman Jr. as wide receiver three. And he also has a bit of a competition with Roman Wilson,” DeFabo said. “Max Iheanachor, I guess, could also rival Gennings Dunker, most snaps. But it’s just a matter of how quickly he can crack that lineup.”
Bernard can be described as a quarterbacks’ best friend, and he certainly should have a role in Year 1. But he’s going to need to prove himself over Roman Wilson first. And if he gets past Wilson, DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. also stand in his way.
As for Iheanachor, he enters a crowded tackle room. He’ll no doubt be in Pittsburgh long term, but if Broderick Jones is healthy for the start of the year, he’s one player in the way. And even if Jones isn’t, both Troy Fautanu and Dylan Cook looked solid in 2025. With Fautanu’s positional flexibility, the Steelers can afford some shuffling on that unit, so Iheanachor may not play right away.
After making 10 picks, you’d hope several have an impact in their rookie year. But to DeFabo, Dunker could have the biggest impact of all the Steelers rookies.
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