The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Gennings Dunker, an offensive guard from the University of Iowa, with the 96th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Pittsburgh made an aggressive move to secure the interior lineman, trading up three spots from No. 99 to No. 96 in a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. In exchange for the move, the Steelers sent pick No. 216 to Seattle. Dunker, a 6-foot-5, 319-pound prospect, was a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes and was part of an Iowa unit that won the Joe Moore Award for the nation's top offensive line. While he played tackle in college, NFL scouts project him as a guard at the professional level.
Dunker becomes the fifth player selected by the Steelers in this year's draft, joining a class that includes first-round tackle Max Iheanachor, wide receiver Germie Bernard, quarterback Drew Allar, and cornerback Daylen Everette. The selection continues a clear trend for general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike McCarthy, who have prioritized rebuilding the team's trenches and adding physicality to the roster.
Known for his freakish strength, Dunker gained notoriety as a multi-time winner of the Solon Beef Days Hay Bale toss. He also impressed at the NFL Combine, recording a 4.63-second 20-yard shuttle, which ranked third among all participating offensive linemen.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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