2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Gennings Dunker (OT – Iowa)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Iowa offensive tackle Gennings Dunker.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Gennings Dunker

Gennings Dunker (OT – Iowa)

6-foot-5 | 315 Pounds

Background

Gennings Dunker redshirted in 2021 and then started one game in 2022 (180 total snaps between left and right guard) before spending the following year starting all 13 games at right tackle (five sacks, 14 combined sacks + hits + pressures), where he’s played ever since.

Dunker started all 11 games he appeared in as a junior (two sacks, nine sacks + hits + pressures), missing two, and then started all 12 games in 2025 as of the time of writing (three sacks, six sacks + hits + pressures).

Positives

Dunker is a solidly-built three-year starter who’s held down the right tackle spot for three years at a program renowned for producing quality offensive linemen. Offensive line coaches will love the physicality and intensity he brings on a snap-to-snap basis; plays with the nastiness and motor to set the tone. Fires out with explosiveness and a low pad level.

Plenty fast in a straight line to reach landmarks on east-west concepts in the run game, showing impressive range. Can climb to the second level and knock linebackers around. Explosiveness, physicality and excellent functional strength allow Dunker to overwhelm and steamroll some defenders on contact.

Can collapse the edge when blocking down on the outside shoulder. Shows impressive contact balance and knows how to throw a shoulder or use his body as an obstruction when scraping down the line. Nasty finisher who has plenty of glass in his diet. Plays with a solid base and adequate knee bend in pass protection. Has the lateral quickness to chip one opponent and then get back into position to wall off an outside rusher.

The Iowa product’s hand placement is generally good and can reset when hand-fighting. Does a nice job of cutting off inside moves, with a strong grip to sustain. Naturally strong in his lower body to anchor. Does a nice job of getting out in space and disrupting defenders in the screen game. Hasn’t committed more than three penalties in a season since his redshirt freshman year in 2022.

Negatives

The aggressiveness and urgency Dunker plays with can sometimes cross over into a lack of control; the most frequent issue is a tendency to lower his head into contact, and occasionally to lunge, leading to occasional whiffs or balance issues.

Aggressive, committed pedal-to-the-metal style when blocking on the move leads Dunker to overrun some landmarks and makes it more difficult for him to adjust as the play develops. Falls off of some blocks when playing without a stable base.

Dunker’s hand usage in pass protection is unorthodox and undermines his natural power with a tendency to extend his arms right away out of his stance, rather than timing and firing his punch with explosiveness as defenders are entering his range. When he lets defenders initiate contact in pass protection, Dunker drops his anchor a bit later than you’d like.

Summary

One of the most aggressive, nastiest offensive linemen in recent memory, Dunker is a right tackle prospect who really brings it on a snap-to-snap basis. He offers a very impressive combination of range and explosive power, which allows him to reach landmarks and punish opponents.

Although he generally shows good judgment, Dunker’s intense approach can also lead to occasional issues, mostly concerning his balance, and will likely be difficult to refine out of his game without undermining what makes him special. Experienced, scheme-versatile mauler who could conceivably play either guard or tackle, and probably sooner rather than later.

Projection: Round 1/Round 2