The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their affinity for Iowa players by selecting wide receiver Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round and offensive lineman Gennings Dunker in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Beat writer Gerry Dulac indicated the team viewed Wetjen as the best player available. Dunker expressed excitement about reuniting with former Hawkeye teammates in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh opened Day 3 of the draft by picking Iowa's Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round. According to Post-Gazette beat writer Gerry Dulac, the Steelers approached the selection with a best player available mentality. 'You know, it was said to me before the draft today that they were going to take the best player available. Didn’t matter who it was and what position he played. And I think that’s reflective of their mentality taking him [Wetjen],' Dulac said in a video reaction on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s YouTube channel. General manager Omar Khan noted post-draft that Wetjen addresses a need, despite limited offensive production at Iowa beyond returns. Wetjen led the FBS in kickoff return yards in 2024 and punt return yards in 2025, with four return touchdowns last year. He impressed at the Shrine Bowl, creating separation against top defenders. The Steelers traded up for Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker with their final third-round pick. Dunker, speaking to the Steelers Audio Network, voiced enthusiasm about joining former teammates Kaleb Johnson, Yahya Black, and Logan Lee. 'I mean, it’s awesome... it’s just awesome to have those guys here, and they’re such great guys,' Dunker said. He texted Wetjen after the pick: 'you can’t get rid of me.' This continues Pittsburgh's Iowa pipeline, following Johnson's third-round selection last year and Black's fifth-round pick.