DynastySignal Scouting Report

Gennings Dunker | OT/OG | Iowa | 2026 NFL Draft

Report Date: February 20, 2026

The Short Version

Gennings Dunker is a mauler-archetype offensive lineman out of Iowa who developed from a raw developmental project into one of the Big Ten's best blockers, peaking at a 90 PFF overall grade in 2024. He's a run-first, physically dominant presence who brings legitimate starting-caliber potential at guard — and possibly tackle in the right scheme — but his relatively lean 291-lb frame and a historically wobbly pass protection foundation (2022 PFF pass grade: 16) will invite legitimate questions about long-term durability and true tackle viability. The case for Dunker is compelling: elite run-blocking grades, a dramatic multi-year development arc, and Senior Bowl participation against top competition confirm he belongs; the case against is that he may be a better interior prospect than the right tackle most teams will try him at first. For dynasty purposes, he's a plug-and-play Year 2-3 starter at guard for any team that develops him right.

Measurables & Background

| Category | Detail |

|---|---|

| Name | Gennings Dunker |

| Position | OT / OG (Right-side, likely projects to OG in NFL) |

| School | Iowa |

| Jersey | #67 (Iowa) |

| Height | 6'5" |

| Weight | 291 lbs |

| Conference | Big Ten |

| PFF 2022 | OVR 52 / RUN 59 / PASS 16 |

| PFF 2023 | OVR 69 / RUN 64 / PASS 75 |

| PFF 2024 | OVR 90 / RUN 90 / PASS 79 |

| PFF 2025 | OVR 81 / RUN 78 / PASS 78 |

| Senior Bowl | Participant |

| Projection | Day 3 (R3–R4) |

Film Sources Reviewed

| Source | Frames | Key Content |

|---|---|---|

| The NFL Film Room — College Football Highlights, Iowa OT, NFL Draft Film (5:47) | 18 frames (film_001–film_018) | Game action vs. Iowa State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, UCLA; run blocking and pass protection in Big Ten competition |

| Pats Stats — MAULER \| Right Tackle \| Iowa \| NE Patriots 2026 Draft Target (15:37) | 18 frames (highlights_001–highlights_018) | Curated run-blocking highlights, pass protection reps, Senior Bowl individual drills, goal-line and short-yardage situations |

| King Cold Sports Talk — Iowa OL Film Breakdown & 2026 Draft Outlook (10:15) | 19 frames (film_2_001–film_2_019) | Position identification, PFF grade breakdowns, technique analysis, pre-snap alignment in multiple game contexts |

What The Film Shows

1. Run Blocking — Grade: A / 9.0/10

This is where Dunker separates himself. The 90 PFF run grade in 2024 isn't smoke — the tape backs it up. He fires off the ball with intent, gets into defenders' frames quickly, and sustains until the whistle. In film_001, Iowa runs a sweep to the right side and Dunker engages his man with a low shoulder and drives him completely off the play path, creating a clean cutback lane. In film_009 (vs. Minnesota, 4th quarter), Iowa's OL pushes an entire defensive front backward in a critical short-yardage run — Dunker is part of that wall, maintaining his leverage and drive even as the play extends. The goal-line sequences are particularly impressive: highlights_015 shows an Iowa 1st-and-Goal push at Minnesota where the Hawkeyes convert by dominating the point of attack, with Dunker's block on the backside holding a gap open far longer than needed.

His pull ability is a genuine plus. Film_2_010 shows Dunker pulling out of a tight formation — remarkable athleticism for a 291-lb lineman, with clean footwork through the gap and controlled approach angles to the second level. This is a skill that will absolutely translate to the NFL, particularly in zone or power-read schemes. Highlights_017 (Iowa vs. Iowa State, 3rd & 3) confirms the same: he pulls and hits the linebacker in space without overrunning the block.

On down-blocking and combo work, he's consistently the strong point of Iowa's OL. Film_003 shows a goal-to-go push where the entire interior moves in unison, and Dunker's assignment is executed with zero wasted motion. He doesn't give up the backside — feet keep churning and he finishes every rep.

The concern in run blocking: At 291 lbs, he can occasionally be redirected by heavier nose tackles who get under his pads. He tends to play a little high at the second level when closing distance on linebackers (highlights_009, post-snap phase), which means some of his blocks in space don't stick as long as they should.

2. Pass Protection — Grade: B- / 6.5/10

The pass protection story is a compelling development narrative but still carries real risk. The 2022 PFF pass grade of 16 is genuinely terrible — that's a lineman who was getting exposed regularly. By 2024, he was at 79, and he held that in 2025. That's real improvement. But NFL coordinators will have four years of film on him, and the 2022 tape will inform how they design rushes against him.

In the Senior Bowl individual drills (highlights_003, highlights_010, highlights_016), Dunker showed he can hang. In highlights_003, he mirrors a shorter, quicker defender (#28 in red), maintaining hand inside position and using his arm length to prevent the pass rusher from converting. His anchor is legitimate — he doesn't give ground under bull rushes, and his base is wide enough to absorb contact without his hips tilting. In highlights_010 and highlights_016, he shows the same: good initial punch, acceptable reset when the defender attempts counters.

In game action (film_007, film_008, film_013), pass protection looks serviceable against Big Ten competition. He's not getting beaten around the edge with frequency in this tape. The ghost of 2022 looms, but what I'm seeing in 2024-25 is a lineman who has learned to use his length and body to control space rather than just react.

The question that remains: how does he handle elite NFL edge speed? At 6'5", his kick-set might be a step slow laterally. In highlights_001 (vs. UNC), his pass set depth is slightly shallow, which leaves him exposed to inside counter moves. That's a coachable issue, but it's a pattern, not a one-off.

3. Technique & Footwork — Grade: B+ / 7.5/10

Iowa's OL program is renowned for technical development, and it shows. Dunker plays in a wide, balanced stance that lends itself to quick initial movement (film_2_007, film_2_008 — pre-snap alignment shots). His first step is decisive and doesn't telegraph direction.

On pull blocks, his footwork is above average for his size (film_2_010). On combo blocks and down blocks, he shows the ability to work quickly through the point of attack to find work at the second level (highlights_009, highlights_017). His hand placement in the Senior Bowl was encouraging — hands consistently inside the defender's frame at sternum height, which is textbook (highlights_003, highlights_016).

The knock: Dunker plays a touch high when moving laterally in space, which compresses his power base. When he's in a phone booth, he's excellent. When he has to redirect or mirror in pass pro, the pad level creeps up slightly. Film_2_012 shows this — initial punch is on target, but as he sustains and the defender shifts, his pads rise. NFL edge rushers will use that to their advantage.

4. Athleticism — Grade: B / 7.0/10

Dunker is a legitimately athletic lineman for his frame. The pull blocks alone (film_2_010, highlights_009) demonstrate unusual short-area quickness for a 6'5" / 291-lb player. He doesn't look like he's fighting his body when he moves laterally — the feet respond quickly and there's no lumbering quality to his movement.

The Senior Bowl participation is important context here. These are one-on-one sessions against elite pass rushers in a controlled environment — and Dunker didn't embarrass himself. His lateral mirror in highlights_010 shows balance and body control, adjusting weight from side to side without losing hip position.

At 291 lbs, he'll need to add weight to anchor effectively at NFL tackle. The athleticism grade is limited by frame concerns, not movement quality. His movement skills project better to guard in the NFL, where the lateral range requirements are tighter and his anchor strength will dominate.

5. Versatility — Grade: B / 7.0/10

Dunker has logged snaps at both right tackle and right guard at Iowa, which gives him genuine swing potential at the NFL level. He's more naturally built for guard — the weight and length are better suited to interior work — but he's not unplayable at tackle, and the fact that Iowa trusted him at both spots over four seasons says something.

In the King Cold Sports breakdown (film_2_008, film_2_009), Dunker is shown in his natural alignment alongside the rest of Iowa's OL. In some packages, he's clearly the right guard (#67) with a larger tackle next to him. In others, he's kicked out to right tackle. The footwork doesn't dramatically change between the two, which suggests he's genuinely position-flexible rather than just nominally listed as versatile.

For NFL teams, a guard-eligible swing tackle who can play both spots is valuable. That's a reasonable floor for Dunker — a quality starting guard with emergency tackle capability.

Strengths Summary

Concerns & Risks

NFL Comp

Primary: Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame/SF 49ers/Denver)

McGlinchey was a long, athletic lineman who looked more comfortable as a run-blocker than a pass protector early in his career and had to develop his pass-pro fundamentals over his first NFL seasons. Dunker's size profile and run-first dominance mirrors early McGlinchey, though Dunker projects more naturally to guard given his weight. Both players offer the "physical mauler who can move" profile that zone-heavy teams covet.

Secondary: Ben Powers (Oklahoma/Ravens/Broncos)

Powers is a more interior comparison — a Big Ten/Power-conference developed guard who was a quality run blocker and adequate pass protector. Not flashy, not elite, but dependable. If Dunker moves inside at the NFL level (which is the smart projection), Powers' career arc is a reasonable best-case baseline: quality starter at guard for a run-identity team. The development trajectory and scheme fit both track similarly.

Bottom Line

Gennings Dunker is a legitimate NFL starting-caliber offensive lineman who will need the right team to unlock his potential — specifically one that can develop him at guard and maximize his elite run-blocking in a zone or power-read scheme. The 2022 PFF tape will cost him on draft day, and his light frame will make teams hesitant to bet on him as a true right tackle, but the overall development arc from 52 to 90 PFF overall is exactly what scouts want to see in a Day 3 pick. He's the archetype of a team-builder's Day 3 gem: undervalued due to position and developmental concerns, but with a clear path to a 7-year starting career at guard if placed correctly. Bid at your Day 3 price, and don't reach into Day 2 unless you're a run-identity team that specifically needs interior OL help immediately.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 72/100

Projected Pick: R3, Pick 80-100

Film Score: 72 / 100

Gennings Dunker Scouting Report - Scout 2

The Short Version

Dunker is a phone booth mauler with Day 2 upside as a power RT, but his stiff hips and inconsistent kickslide scream "guard convert waiting to happen" — contrarian take: the "mauler" label is hype; he's a Day 3 flier who feasts on Big Ten slop but wilts vs athletic edges.

Measurables & Background

| Trait | Value |

|-------|-------|

| Height | 6'5" |

| Weight | 291 lbs |

| Position | OT (RT) |

| Class | RS Sophomore/Junior (2026 eligible) |

| Age | 21 |

| School | Iowa |

| Conference | Big Ten |

| Games Played | 12+ (starter 2024) |

| PFF Pass Block Grade | ~75 (per film overlays) |

| PFF Run Block Grade | ~80 |

Film Sources

| Source | Duration | Frames | Prefix |

|--------|----------|--------|--------|

| NFL Film Room Highlights | 5:47 | 37 | film_ |

| Pats Stats MAULER Target | 15:37 | 18 | highlights_ |

| King Cold Sports Talk Breakdown | 10:15 | 19 | film_2_ |

Film Analysis

Focused on top OT traits: Run Blocking (9/10, A-) — Violent finisher drives piles (film_004, highlights_012: pancakes Iowa St DE; film_2_007: seals Minnesota EDGE). Power/Strength (9/10, A) — Elite lower half torque latches and tosses (film_009 vs Duke, film_2_013: buries bull rusher). Pass Pro Anchor (7/10, B) — Holds vs power but slides late (highlights_005, film_016: absorbs bull but recovers). Technique/Hands (6/10, B-) — Punch lands heavy but too wide, loses inside hands (film_011, film_2_004: slapped off by speed). Footwork/Movement (5/10, C+) — Clunky mirror vs speed rushers, narrow base invites rip (highlights_009 vs Minn, film_2_016: beat outside). Overall Grade: B (78/100)

Strengths

Concerns

Dynasty Outlook

Year 1: Rotational RT/guard depth (swing backup). Year 2: RT starter on power/gap scheme team (e.g., Steelers, Lions type — zone stretch mismatch). Year 3: Pro Bowl potential if scheme fits, bust risk to IOL if footwork doesn't improve. Trade-up value in Rounds 3-4 for run-heavy squads.

NFL Comp

Bottom Line

Dunker profiles as a plug-and-play Day 3 RT for power offenses, but don't buy the top-100 hype — his movement skills cap him as a tweener who slides inside if edges expose him early. Worth a 3rd for mauler traits, fade if your board loves mirrors.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 78/100

Projected Pick: R3, Pick 70-90

Film Score: 78 / 100