The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted two offensive linemen in the first two days of the draft. A tackle in Max Iheanachor in the first round, and a versatile offensive lineman in Gennings Dunker with the final of Pittsburgh’s third-round picks.
With a lot of positional versatility on the unit, it wasn’t clear where those two might have started in their rookie seasons. But from rookie minicamp this weekend, we now have an idea. Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly mentioned that the Steelers had Dunker at left guard and Iheanachor at right tackle.
“Gennings Dunker at left guard and Max Iheanachor at right tackle. Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn’t,” Kaboly wrote in a tweet posted Saturday.
Gennings Dunker at left guard and Max Iheanachor at right tackle. Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn't.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) May 9, 2026
For Dunker, left guard makes sense. He played tackle at Iowa, but issues with his lateral quickness and his footwork make guard look like an easier spot for him in the NFL. Plus, his overwhelming physicality, especially in the run game, suits the guard position well.
The tackle room is also pretty crowded. Aside from Iheanachor, the Steelers also have Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook and Broderick Jones, if the latter is healthy. It would have been tough for Dunker to find playing time at that spot. But while Mason McCormick holds down right guard, the left guard position is more open. Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman occupy that spot on the depth chart, but the opportunity is certainly there for the taking for Dunker.
For Iheanachor, it makes some sense to keep him on the right side as well. He’s new to the sport, and that’s a spot he got his starts at during his time at Arizona State. While he had plenty of college experience, he still only started playing the sport in 2021. It would make sense to keep him there as he continues to develop, rather than forcing him to switch sides.
The Steelers can be pretty flexible at tackle with him on the right side as well. Fautanu played left tackle his final two years in college, so he could presumably move over to that side. Dylan Cook also could start on either side of the line, in the eyes of some. And even Broderick Jones could be an option, playing right tackle at times during his young Pittsburgh tenure.
There’s still a long way to go until even training camp. The offensive line could see plenty of movement, especially once the veterans start working later in the offseason. But for now, the Steelers are trying Dunker at left guard, and Iheanachor at right tackle.
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