Grading the trade: Steelers move up three spots to find a plug-and-play starter to fill final glaring hole on the roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up three spots in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Iowa OL, Gennings Dunker. Was it a good move? We grade the trade and give a full analysis below.

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Sep 13, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67) looks on before the game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Kinnick Stadium.
Sep 13, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67) looks on before the game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Kinnick Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers started day three of the 2026 NFL Draft with a bang when they selected Alabama WR Germie Bernard, and that turned out to only be an appetizer for what was to come.

Drew Allar would end up stealing the show before Daylen Everette was selected, but the Steelers put together a great move to go from 99 to 96 and select one of the best players available.

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Steelers trade picks 99, 216, to Seahawks for 96, select Iowa IOL Gennings Dunker

Dunker may be famous for his flowing hair and red-tinged beard and locks, but he’s a darn good football player. Iowa through and through, Dunker was announced as a guard, which tells me he’s in pole position to be the Steelers’ starting left guard come September.

What are the Steelers getting from Gennings Dunker?

“Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker is one of the more popular prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to his unique style and gritty play. He’s a powerful player who has manned right tackle for the Iowa Hawkeyes in recent years. Yet while the Hawkeyes’ offensive line pipeline to the NFL is well established, Dunker has a unique trail to blaze to the NFL.”

“He’s a fairly linear player on his tracks and, despite his length, has seen some defenders spin off of his hands or run upfield to create disruption after first contact. He’d be better served playing with bumpers around him at the point of attack and, accordingly, should be charged with playing guard in the NFL as compared to staying on the edge as a tackle. At his best, Dunker has good initial power, violent hands, and a heavy anchor to protect the pocket. Free him: play him at guard.” – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports NFL Draft

Final grade for Steelers trade up for guard Gennings Dunker: A

I happen to love this pick. Dunker screams Yinzer, and he screams Steeler with his look and his playstyle, and I think he can truly be a day one starter for a team that needs an answer at left guard.