The Pittsburgh Steelers chosen two offensive linemen within the 2026 NFL Draft: Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor and Iowa’s Gennings Dunker. Whereas blocking stats are tougher to come back by than different positions, I wished to see how each gamers fared in comparison with different drafted offensive lineman final season.
First, listed here are Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) blocking grades for the 50 drafted o-linemen:
The perfect consequence for the Steelers is Dunker’s 78.2 run blocking grade, rating sixteenth (50 qualifiers). Seeing that is fairly encouraging, matching the tape of a nasty demeanor and plus run blocker at proper deal with final season. He initiatives to maneuver inside to protect, and these strengths being obtainable at decide 96 was my favourite worth for Pittsburgh within the draft.
Dunker landed on the imply as a cross blocker although, with a 77.7 cross block grade that ranked twenty ninth. Not unhealthy, particularly contemplating life as an inside lineman is a better process on this regard, albeit a soar up in competitors within the NFL. Right here’s to hoping that’s the way it involves fruition.
Iheanachor was the polarizing first-round choice for Pittsburgh. He began soccer late however gained fairly a little bit of expertise in faculty with good athleticism and excessive potential. His stronger mark was cross blocking, as anticipated, however he ranked only one spot greater than Dunker at twenty eighth. Contemplating they each primarily performed proper deal with, we achieve good context to how some seen their contributions in 2025.
The opposite facet of the coin for Iheanachor was as a run blocker, with a 66.8 grade that ranked thirty fifth. Whereas each participant’s transition to the NFL is a wait and see sport, that is the regarding half for me of how issues might mission for Iheanachor if he sees the sector in 12 months one, and his profession.
Utilizing one other stat supply strains up with the PFF grading, beginning with Dunker’s run block consequence being the very best consequence. His 0.7 % blown block price when run blocking tied for fifth-best within the draft class. Pairing this with a effectively above-average grade provides optimism than Dunker’s run blocking presence could possibly be the rapid optimistic affect when he sees the sector.
Added context on the flipside, although. Dunker’s 3.0 % blown block price in cross blocking tied for forty second, ninth-worst of his friends. How a lot of this was him taking part in deal with, in comparison with a overwhelming majority seeing him as an NFL guard? Solely time will inform.
Iheanachor landed beneath the imply in every. His higher mark was cross blocking as soon as once more, however a 2.2 % blown block price landed him in a tie for thirty second. Comparatively, his 2.5 % blown block price as a run blocker tied for forty third, the worst mark of the duo within the examine.
We clearly see that Iheanachor was the extra unstable participant, with extra extraordinarily low-end performs (blown blocks) no matter blocking state of affairs, although run blocking was the most important bugaboo. The hope is that this might clear up with extra teaching and expertise. Dunker fared effectively final season as a run blocker, however he was fairly unstable in cross blocking. Doubtless shifting from deal with to protect within the NFL might elevate this reality some.
As all gamers should when coming into the league, we see there’s a lot that may enhance for each gamers with the Black and Gold. Right here’s to hoping for simply that as they start their NFL journeys.
