Steelers' Gennings Dunker's Transition To Guard Could Be Easy Given Iowa's Playstyle

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line has a very bright future ahead, and one day could become an elite unit. General Manager Omar Khan and his assistant, Andy Weidel, started building the trenches in the 2023 NFL Draft, when they selected Broderick Jones. Since then, they have taken Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick. All three have become quality starters, with Frazier and Fautanu looking like stars in the making. In the latest draft, this philosophy continued when the team selected Max Iheanachor in the first round and Gennings Dunker in the third. Iheanachor has the attributes to be an elite tackle; whereas, Dunker has to make the transition from tackle to guard. 

Dunker started 38 games for the Iowa Hawkeyes, making 37 of them at the right tackle position. He was an awkward fit at the tackle spot, but he made it work. Grading out at an 80.6 per Pro Football Focus, he allowed just two sacks and 10 pressures on the season. 

Dunker has a very strong punch, but his timing and accuracy need some polishing. His run blocking, on the other hand, doesn't need much tooling. His pad level could be lower at times, but Dunker has been an absolute mauler in the run game. He finishes his block every chance he gets, really fitting into that traditional Steelers culture.  

Steelers insidet Ray Fittipaldo recently wrote an article about Dunker and how the Iowa product has quickly become a fan favorite in the Steel City. Fittipaldo talked about both of the rookie offensive linemen and the positions that they are playing.

Iheanachor is playing right tackle as expected, and Dunker is being moved to left guard. Dunker talked about the transition, and his words are very encouraging and should leave Steeler Nation excited about his future.

“The biggest thing is the speed at guard is a little faster than at tackle," Dunker said. "That makes pass pro a little easier and run blocking a little harder. At Iowa, we played our tackles like guards anyways. We played really physical. It's not too much different."

Typically, an offensive tackle moving to guard is difficult, primarily due to the stance change and the archetype of players they'll now face. At Iowa, their tackles often play in three-point stances, giving them an advantage in the run game but not as much in the pass game. 

Dunker is already used to playing out of a three-point stance; his pass protection should improve on the interior, where defensive tackles have far less space to work with than defensive ends. While Dunker makes his transition to left guard, he is fighting an uphill battle with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman. 

Anderson has been waiting to take over the left guard spot, being the team's sixth man on the unit. Hoffman, on the other hand, was primarily a backup with the Dallas Cowboys, but he's started seven games in each of the last two seasons. His starts came primarily at center, but he will still be very much in the mix for the left guard job. 

Steelers Should Play The Young Players

The Steelers' offensive line situation is in a very odd spot, primarily due to Jones' unfortunate neck injury. His status is still unknown for Week 1, which could mean more shuffling up front. Due to his inexperience, Iheanachor is staying on the right side, meaning Fautanu is more than likely moving to left tackle. 

Iheanachor would battle with Dylan Cook for the right tackle job, but he's in a contract year and may choose to leave given the other investments in the tackle position. While Dunker will battle with Anderson and Hoffman, they are in the same boat. 

Anderson is in a contract year, and Hoffman only signed a one-year deal with the team. Neither is guaranteed to be back, which means the team should perhaps plug their rookies in at training camp. They'll be here for at least the next four years; may as well let them start developing early.  

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