The Detroit Lions have plenty of needs to address after a disappointing 2025 campaign, but their biggest may be across the offensive line. The engine of the Lions’ offense struggled last season amid Kevin Zeitler’s departure in free agency, Frank Ragnow’s sudden retirement, and numerous injuries, meaning Detroit will be looking to solve the problem in free agency and the draft.
The first step in that process comes at the Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, this week as draft prospects showcase their talents to begin the build-up to this year’s draft. Although it’s early, the Lions may have found the prospect of their dreams in Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker.
Gennings Dunker Must Be on Lions’ Draft Radar at Senior Bowl
Dunker seems like a perfect fit for the Lions, and not because he looks like he’d be willing to go to a Metallica concert with head coach Dan Campbell.
According to Ryan Fowler of Commanding The Huddle, Dunker has looked “pretty good” at both right tackle and right guard during Senior Bowl practice on Wednesday. Later in the day, Dunker also revealed he’s been working on snapping the ball and taking reps at center to prepare for that possibility.
“Yeah, I’d be down to play any position. Whatever they need,” Dunker said via Cody Stoots of the 'Landry Locker' YouTube channel. "I think I can play guard or tackle. I’ve been repping both during the Senior Bowl. I’ve been working on snapping a little bit, like training for the combine and whatnot, so whatever they need.”
While Dunker joked that he’s “probably not catching the ball,” his versatility would be a dream for the Lions. The offensive line is in flux as Taylor Decker is mulling retirement, and the Lions don’t feel like Giovanni Manu is ready to take his place. While Dunker played on the right side at Iowa, it could allow the Lions to move Penei Sewell to the left side and have him play at right tackle.
There’s also the possibility that he could play inside at guard. Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge are currently locked into the starting jobs at left and right guard, respectively, but adding Dunker could allow Ratledge to slide over to center or provide depth and competition for Mahogany entering training camp.
This is more than just a hypothetical and some aesthetics. Dunker was solid during his final year with the Hawkeyes, posting an 80.0 run blocking grade in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus. X user "Bengals & Brews" also noted that Jennings has awareness against stunts, excels at blocking at the second level, and has “a nastiness to his game” with over 2,200 career snaps played.
For an offensive line that was bowled over often last season, Dunker could be the prospect that gets the Lions back to their strength in the trenches. While a strong finish to Senior Bowl week and a good performance through the rest of the pre-draft process will be key, Dunker has gotten off to a great start and should be on the Lions’ radar as they begin to solidify their draft process.