Steelers' Gennings Dunker Seeks Versatility to Climb Depth Chart The Pittsburgh Steelers prioritized Gennings Dunker in the 2026 NFL draft, selecting him with their final Day 2 pick. While the offensive lineman shows promise, his path to significant playing time in his rookie season remains uncertain. During training camp, Dunker has primarily competed among backup players for a spot at right guard, with his versatility emerging as a critical factor in his development. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger emphasized the importance of adaptability, citing Trai Essex as a historical example of a player who thrived by mastering multiple positions. Roethlisberger highlighted versatility as a key trait for offensive linemen, noting that Dunker’s ability to play multiple roles could secure his place on the roster. The Steelers’ coaching staff, which values multi-position players, has already begun shaping Dunker’s role. Though he was a tackle in college, the team believes his transition to guard at the professional level will better suit his skills. This shift, however, comes with a learning curve, which explains his current position lower on the depth chart. Dunker’s competition for playing time includes Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman, both of whom have leveraged their versatility to their advantage. Hoffman, a first-team offensive lineman in training camp, has demonstrated flexibility by playing both center and guard. His experience under former coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas further enhances his value. Anderson, a seventh-round pick, has similarly thrived by adapting to various positions on the offensive line. His ability to play essentially anywhere on the front has kept him on the roster, and with a contract year approaching, his chance for a starting role is growing.#pittsburgh_steelers #mike_mccarthy #ben_roethlisberger #gennings_dunker #trai_essex
Joe Haden Suggests Steelers Use Jalen Ramsey in Slot or Safety Role The Pittsburgh Steelers face decisions about how to best utilize Jalen Ramsey, a veteran cornerback whose career is entering its final stages. At 32 years old, Ramsey has begun to show signs of age, particularly in his ability to cover elite wide receivers. However, former Steelers cornerback Joe Haden, now a free agent, believes the team should consider moving Ramsey to a different role to maximize his strengths. Speaking on the Deebo & Joe podcast, Haden emphasized the importance of adapting Ramsey’s position. “I would have him at free safety or slot,” he said. “He’s still gonna be able to guard tight ends now because the speed isn’t there at corner. At the outside, you’ve got to be young; you’ve still got to be able to run.” Haden’s co-host, James Harrison, and podcast guest Ben Roethlisberger both endorsed the idea of moving Ramsey to the slot. Roethlisberger, reflecting on his time as a quarterback, added, “I like Ramsey in the slot, too. As a quarterback, he makes me more nervous in the slot … because of his mind.” He highlighted Ramsey’s cerebral approach to the game, noting that his ability to read plays and disrupt offenses makes him a valuable asset in the slot. “I also like him in there because I think you can blitz him more,” Roethlisberger said. “You can put him on a tight end and say, ‘I don’t want that tight end to touch the ball.’” Ramsey, an eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, has already demonstrated his versatility. Last season, he split time between the slot, boundary, and safety positions, eventually moving full-time to safety.#pittsburgh_steelers #jalen_ramsey #joe_haden #james_harrison #ben_roethlisberger
