Eli Heidenreich
Steelers select hometown Navy RB Eli Heidenreich in seventh round to close 2026 NFL Draft
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The Pittsburgh Steelers capped the 2026 NFL Draft—hosted in their hometown—with the 230th overall pick, selecting versatile Navy running back Eli Heidenreich, a Mt. Lebanon native and lifelong fan. The pass-catching back, likened to ex-Steelers standout Kenneth Gainwell (lost to free agency), joins a crowded backfield with Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, and Kaleb Johnson.
Rookie running back Eli Heidenreich has identified special teams as his clearest route to securing a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. The seventh-round pick from Navy has spent his early training camp days working with reserves but has stood out on the punt team.
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Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly believes rookie running back Eli Heidenreich will start the season on the team's practice squad. The 2026 NFL Draft pick has drawn attention as a local product from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz, a fellow Pittsburgh native, expressed strong excitement for the team's seventh-round draft pick Eli Heidenreich on his podcast, predicting the Navy running back will 'open a lot of eyes' with his talent.