With the 96th overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker.
Dunker played both left guard and right tackle at Iowa but he is projected to kick inside to guard in the NFL. The Steelers lost veteran Isaac Seumalo in free agency, so Dunker will be in the mix with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman to compete for the starting left guard position.
Dunker, who stands at 6-foot-5, 319 pounds, has 33.5-inch arms and 10-inch hands. He’s just long enough to keep him in the conversation at tackle, but as a much better run blocker than pass blocker, his probably NFL future is on the inside.
Dunker was named third-team All-Big Ten 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.
Dunker’s comp was ironically Mason McCormick by NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein.
Dunker is a three-year starter with a pro-ready frame but limited athleticism that is likely to push him inside to guard. He plays with average pad level, heavy hands and enough upper-body power to displace defenders if he plays with more consistent hand placement,” Zierlein wrote . “His lateral quickness is average and his movements in space are mechanical, leading to difficulty making needed adjustments. The move inside should accentuate his play strength and allow him to get on top of opponents more quickly, but sub-package rushers and gaming fronts could be an ongoing challenge.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Land Punishing Offensive Lineman in Fourth Round
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