In a draft class featuring 257 overall players that heard their names called during the three-day 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, it can be difficult to narrow down those 257 players to just a handful of names as \u201cfavorite\u201d picks, especially in each round.<\/p>\n
But that\u2019s what NFL.com\u2019s Dan Parr did after the draft concluded, and fortunately for the Pittsburgh Steelers, two of their selections were highlighted among Parr\u2019s favorites.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In a 10-person draft class that has many analysts and anonymous front-office executives questioning what the Steelers were doing, it\u2019s good to see some are high on selections, like Parr.<\/p>\n
In his piece naming his two favorite draft picks in each round, Parr tabbed third-round pick Gennings Dunker and seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich among his best selections.<\/p>\n
Dunker was selected at No. 96 overall in the third round after a small trade up by the Steelers, securing the Iowa standout.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome things that happen on draft weekend just feel right. Dunker as a Steeler is one of those things,\u201d Parr writes of Dunker. \u201cA darling of draft season thanks to his flowing red mullet, he\u2019ll be driving defenders off the ball while donning the same Black and Gold colors he did at Iowa, where he started at right tackle for the past three seasons. He\u2019s expected to slide inside to guard in the pros, and I\u2019m anticipating a full Yinzer embrace as he transitions from one gritty, blue-collar program to another.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s worth noting Zierlein\u2019s comp for Dunker is Steelers guard Mason McCormick, which only feeds the perfect fit narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout the pre-draft process, it just felt like Dunker was supposed to be a Steeler. He was so imposing in the Black and Gold already, that being the colors of Iowa. Plus, his flowing red mullet just screamed Yinzer.<\/p>\n
Then, the Steelers made it happen. He played right tackle in college for the Hawkeyes, but his best spot in the NFL is at guard. He is likely going to make the transition to left guard for the Steelers and could plug a massive hole there after the loss of Isaac Seumalo in free agency.<\/p>\n
Plus, that comparison to Mason McCormick is pretty fitting, as both are quiet-but-old-school football players who go through the whistle and play with a real edge.<\/p>\n
The Heidenreich pick stole the show on Day 3 of the draft, though, with the incredible moment on stage as the Steelers selected the hometown kid at No. 230 overall. It was a truly special moment, but Heidenreich is more than just that moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike all seventh-round picks, Heidenreich will have to battle to make the roster, but his special-teams ability and versatility as a runner\/receiver should give him a leg up on the competition,\u201d Parr writes of the selection.<\/p>\n
He went a bit later than many anticipated, which makes some sense given that he came out of a military academy. Still, he was dominant for Navy over the last two years and had a great Combine, too, after putting up a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl as well.<\/p>\n
What his role will be in the NFL remains to be seen, whether he\u2019s a running back or slot receiver. One thing he\u2019s made clear, though: he\u2019s a football player, period. The Steelers love his versatility, and he\u2019ll have a chance to carve out a roster spot in training camp.<\/p>\n
If he does, he\u2019ll show he\u2019s more than just an emotional moment on a wonderful weekend in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a draft class featuring 257 overall players that heard their names called during the three-day 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, it can be difficult to narrow… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":45016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n