The Pittsburgh Steelers have certainly received mixed reviews for their 2026 draft class, and it makes sense. After missing out on Makai Lemon by one selection, it has left a sour taste in the mouths of many draft analysts. However, Pittsburgh did well after that debacle as they continue to invest in their offensive line.
No team in the NFL has invested more draft capital in their offensive line over the last four seasons than the Steelers have selected three first-round tackles and three interior offensive linemen inside the top 120.
That’s a total of six offensive linemen in the first four rounds over the last four drafts. It’s not a bad strategy, especially when they are finding valuable players on Day 2, such as Zach Frazier and Gennings Dunker.  And just based on how scouts valued Dunker before the draft, it sure seems like the Steelers stole him at the end of Round 3.
Pittsburgh Steelers' third-round pick Gennings Dunker earns praise from NFL scouts
In a recent article by Bob McGinn of the Go Long Substack, he spoke with several NFL scouts and asked them to rank the top interior offensive linemen going into the draft. Dunker came in at No. 5, two spots ahead of Keylan Rutledge, who went in the first round to the Houston Texans.
It’s not a surprise to see that several scouts appreciated Dunker’s game, but not everyone agrees that he has to kick inside to guard in the NFL. Some believe that he could survive at right tackle at the next level. Here is what one current NFL scout had to say about Dunker and where he might play next season:
"Right tackle is his position but he might be a better guard. His hands get a little outside the framework in pass pro. He can stop the bull. Adequate depth vs. the edge. Will catch some and give up some ground. He’s an aggressive run blocker, which I like. He’ll move people out. I like the dude. I’d let him fail first at tackle. You know those Iowa guys are well-schooled.
One of the reasons why the draft community was high on Dunker going into the draft is his ability to play multiple positions. Dunker started 38 games in college, and 37 of those starts came at right tackle (one game at RG).
However, he practiced at guard during the Senior Bowl and certainly held his own. Dunker finished 65th on the consensus board, which is significantly higher than where he was drafted (No. 98).
The expectation is that Dunker will move to left guard and compete with Brock Hoffman for a starting guard spot. However, there’s also a chance that he could be the team’s starting swing tackle given his experience playing on the outside. He doesn’t have the best feet for a starting offensive tackle, but his power in the run game and competitiveness can more than make up for any physical limitations.
Even if Dunker only becomes a swing tackle or backup offensive lineman, Pittsburgh still got a grade value at the end of Round 3. However, that feels like the low end of possible outcomes here, as Dunker should quickly find a starting role in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
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