Steelers Send Direct Message To Spencer Anderson With Gennings Dunker Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers officially wrapped up their 2026 NFL Draft, taking 10 players in the process. Over the past three years, the plan has been to build the trenches by investing top-end capital in both the offensive and defensive lines. That approach remained intact with the selection of Max Iheanachor 21st overall. Though he may not have been part of the initial plan, he was still high on their board, filling a need amid uncertainty. The other need on the offensive line is left guard. The team already has Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman on the roster, with Hoffman expected to be more of a backup center. 

With the loss of Isaac Seumalo in free agency, Anderson was expected to be plugged in at left guard amid any draft selections. That may now change, as the Steelers selected tackle Gennings Dunker out of Iowa 96th overall. 

Though Dunker was a tackle in his final season with the Hawkeyes, he is expected to be moved to the interior. Dunker is a mauler in the run game, and absolutely detonates defensive linemen. His pass blocking is a work in progress, as he has a slow punch, but a strong one. Dunker also doesn't have the best lateral quickness, but playing on the inside should help with that. 

ESPN's Brooke Pryor recently wrote an article providing a full breakdown of the Steelers' draft picks. In her breakdown of Dunker, she mentioned that the Steelers have expressed confidence in Anderson, but the move up for the Iowa product suggests they felt that they needed an upgrade at the position. This could spell trouble for Anderson and his status as a starter on the team in 2026. 

"Though the Steelers have expressed confidence in 2023 seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson in the wake of Isaac Seumalo's departure in free agency, their decision to trade up with Seattle to snag Dunker suggests they felt a need to upgrade the position," Pryor wrote. "Dunker was a tackle throughout his college career, but he worked at guard during the Senior Bowl, and new Steelers offensive line coach James Campen said the organization views Dunker as a guard first and tackle second."

Not only did Dunker go in the top-100, but the team traded up for him. For reference, the team's starting right guard, Mason McCormick, was selected at pick 119. McCormick started 14 games as a rookie, and solidified himself as the guy. 

Dunker likely won't be the day one starter; he'll have to earn his spot, but he might be the franchise's long-term plan at the position. If Anderson wins the starting job, he may have a short leash, leaving little room for error with Dunker waiting to take over. 

Anderson is also going into a contract year. He has steadily improved from his rookie season, but looked shaky when he took over for Seumalo in 2025. Luckily for Anderson, most of the backups are on one-year deals. He could still play for a backup spot, but he may feel he's ready to take on the starting responsibilities. 

Steelers Have Some Tough Decisions To Make In Training Camp

The selection of Dunker makes the interior of the offensive line very crowded. The team re-signed Ryan McCollum this offseason and brought in Hoffman as well. McCollum has been the team's backup center for the past two seasons, and even started a few games in 2024 when Zach Frazier went down with an ankle injury. 

There are only 53 roster spots, and it's highly unlikely the team carries six interior offensive linemen, meaning someone could be cut after training camp. Dunker being a rookie likely eliminates him from that, but one of Anderson, McCollum, and Hoffman might be fighting for a roster spot. 

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