It’s rookie minicamp. The team isn’t in pads, let alone full contact. But so far, so good for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top rookie offensive linemen, Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker. Mike McCarthy offered an overview of both of the franchise’s latest draft pick reinforcements.
“Oh, excellent,” McCarthy told reporters when asked to evaluate them via a team-provided transcript. “Obviously, they definitely look like Pittsburgh Steelers linemen. I think you look for young men [who] definitely have the anchor to play the style of football we want to play.
“Huge emphasis and focal point on the O and D line here as far as how we want this team to look and play, and those guys fit right in.”
Coach speak runs rampant this time of year, and McCarthy spent time praising the rookie class up and down. Quarterback Drew Allar, wide receiver Germie Bernard, and running back Eli Heidenreich all received similar glowing remarks. It’s a contrast to Mike Tomlin, who often refrained from making such comments early on.
Since Omar Khan became GM, the Steelers have drafted a first-round offensive tackle in three of the four classes. They selected Iheanachor because of Broderick Jones’ uneven play and 2025 neck injury that leaves his status unclear. Iheanachor is big and athletic with upside. Pittsburgh views him as less raw than the outside world, with McCarthy calling him “plug ‘n play” during an interview last week with Mark Madden.
Dunker is moving from tackle to guard and spent rookie minicamp working as the team’s vacancy on the left side. A rugged run blocker, Dunker looks and plays like an old-school Steelers’ lineman as Pittsburgh is building a healthy running game capable of providing more downfield runs.
“He’s made a very good first impression,” McCarthy said of Dunker.
Dunker is poised to compete with veterans Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman at left guard this summer. Ideally, both rookies win starting jobs to provide immediate evaluation and return. That won’t be decided for another four months. But McCarthy likes what he saw from both men during their first two NFL practices.
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