The Steelers are in desperate need of offensive lineman, and the versatile Dunker fits the mold.
In the days and weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, many Iowa football fans and the local media expected Gennings Dunker to be the first former Hawkeye to be called to the stage.
Dunker, a crucial part of Iowa’s 2025 Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line, was projected by analysts as nearly a lock to be a Day 2 draft pick (rounds 2-3). Some predicted Dunker to be selected as high as the second round, but that didn’t turn out to be the case.
Dunker’s teammate, center Logan Jones, was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 57th overall pick in the second round, but Dunker nearly fell out of Day 2 completely.
With only five picks remaining and Dunker and his family eagerly watching the draft from his hometown of Lena, Illinois, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with the 96th overall pick in the third round. He was the second Hawkeye taken off the board and part of an eventual record-setting draft for Kirk Ferentz’s Iowa program.
While Dunker did have to wait a little longer then he anticipated, going to one of the most storied franchises in the NFL is a nice consolation prize. Dunker will be reunited with running back Kaleb Johnson and wide receiver/return specialist Kaden Wetjen (more on him later) in the Steel City.
Here’s how he could fit in Pittsburgh’s system:
The rundown
Though the Steelers have an iconic history, the franchise is in the midst of a rare transitional period. Longtime head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 seasons and was replaced by former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
The transitions have trickled down to the offensive line, where Pittsburgh is scrambling to find protection for newly re-signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers drafted Arizona State stalwart Max Iheanachor in the first round to blossom into a star tackle, but they also drafted a second tackle in Dunker.
But here’s the catch: Dunker is one of the most versatile offensive lineman in the country and can play anywhere on the line. He just happened to start 38 games at right tackle for the Hawkeyes.
Pittsburgh will likely shuffle him to guard, so that versatility will have a chance to shine right away. The Steelers offense ranked near the bottom in most statistical categories, including 26th in rushing.
Dunker’s presence drastically improved Iowa’s rushing attack in 2024 and 2025, and Pittsburgh will hope that Dunker can repeat that performance in what could be the final season of Rodgers’ legendary NFL career.
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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at [email protected]
