NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger is very bullish on Pittsburgh Steelers ' rookie offensive lineman Gennings Dunker. He tabbed Dunker as the best third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
"Gennings Dunker, we all saw him at the Senior Bowl, we all fell in love with the mullet," Baldinger said recently on NFL Network's The Insiders . "He's an Iowa kid that played right tackle. But they lost their left guard in free agency this year, Isaac Seumalo . I think Gennings Dunker has got his eyes on that position at left guard. He can step in and play that position and be like a Steeler. Just nasty as can be."
Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (OL20) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. — Kirby Lee /Imagn ImagesCredit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dunker, who stands at 6-foot-5, 319 pounds, has 33.5-inch arms and 10-inch hands. He played both left guard and right tackle at Iowa but he is projected to kick inside to guard in the NFL.
Dunker played through multiple injuries in the 2025 season (shoulder, MCL tear). His toughness and grit are two traits that were praised by analysts in the pre-draft process.
He made headlines at the NFL Combine for his flowing red-haired mullet and thick mustache. Dunker is widely known for his love of Culver's, a Midwestern fast-food chain.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein noted that Dunker "Throws heavy hand strikes into first contact in the run game. Clears out down blocks with aggressive finishes."
Dunker was named first-team All-Big Ten by the media last season. He started all 13 games at RT. Team won the Joe Moore Award for having the nation's top OL.
Dunker could be a day one starter at guard, and projects to be a very good one, and if down the road, the Steelers strike out with their tackle options, Dunker's history would allow them to toy with the idea of moving him outside.
The Steelers continue to invest in the trenches under general manager Omar Khan . With the Steelers' first round selection , Khan selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor .
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Brian Baldinger Raves About Steelers Draft Pick: 'Nasty as Can Be'
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