The Pittsburgh Steelers' draft class received mixed reviews, but with 10 total selections, we can expect a collection of rookies to be involved early. Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor is expected to be inserted into the lineup early, especially considering Broderick Jones' uncertain future with the team. Meanwhile, Germie Bernard could play a role from the gate as the team's slot receiver.
However, one player already threatening to flip the depth chart on its head is Gennings Dunker.
Despite being the No. 96 overall selection, Dunker's talent might be too good for the Steelers to keep him off the field. The former Iowa Hawkeyes right tackle was the 65th overall player on the consensus board and was viewed as one of the steals of the draft.
NFL Draft expert, Dane Brugler, praised Dunker on The Athletic's live draft show, and his words suggest he will have a big impact on the team.
"He feels like a Steeler. Just the way he plays, no nonsense. I thought he'd go earlier. He could be a people-mover. He's a mean dude."
Shortly after being drafted, the Steelers hinted that Dunker could kick inside to guard. And the Iowa product could cause a seismic shift to Pittsburgh's O-line from the gate.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could shuffle their offensive line to get Gennings Dunker on the field
Third-round picks often project as future starters—at least this is always the hope. When it comes to Dunker, the Steelers could hold the big offensive lineman in even higher regard, as he was never supposed to be on the board late in the third round.
While Pittsburgh signed veteran guard/center Brock Hoffman in free agency—who was with Mike McCarthy in Dallas—Dunker is the younger, bigger, and more talented player, and the coaching staff may want to get him involved early.
This could come with a shake-up of the offensive line.
From a simplicity standpoint, the easiest thing to do would be to slot Dunker in at left guard. The Steelers have a vacancy at this spot after the departure of Isaac Seumalo in free agency. While this would require Dunker to learn an entirely new position (from right tackle to left guard), he could take his lumps early in the season as he works out the kinks.
Another option would be inserting Dunker at right guard. Keeping the Iowa star on the right side of the offensive line would likely be an easier transition, as it wouldn't be as hard on retooling his kick slide and mechanics. However, this would require Mason McCormick, the team's two-year starter at right guard, to flip sides. McCormick is familiar with left guard, though, as that was his primary position in college.
The final option—and perhaps the least desirable of the group—would be keeping Dunker at right tackle and plugging him into the starting lineup. But there are numerous problems and growing pains bound to happen if this decision unfolds. Keeping Dunker as the right tackle would mean that raw rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor would need to learn a new position at left tackle.
This would also require Troy Fautanu, Pittsburgh's 2024 first-round pick, to make a transition to guard. Fautanu has the frame and traits to play anywhere across the offensive line, but this transition would be less than ideal, as his rapid feet and mirroring ability in pass protection are the best part of his game.
Meanwhile, Dunker's biggest struggles at Iowa often came in pass protection, as he was sometimes late getting out of his stance or sliding out to contain faster edge rushers. Guard feels like his best landing spot in the NFL.
Regardless of where he ends up, it certainly feels like Gennings Dunker could see the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting lineup during his rookie season in 2026, and his presence could cause some major shifts to the team's O-line depth chart.
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