Steelers' Fourth-Round Selection Kaden Wetjen Called "Luxury" Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers just completed the 2026 NFL Draft, where they addressed many positions of need. The Black and Gold ensured it nabbed some players who could start almost immediately and others who are developmental pieces. The front office treaded between the now and the future with the choices. One of the picks who will be of service instantly is fourth-round pick Kaden Wetjen out of the University of Iowa, who was taken based on his incredible kick return ability. 

Wetjen won the Jet Award for college football's top returner in 2024 and 2025. While he's listed as a wide receiver, he didn't play there a whole ton as a Hawkeye. However, he would be utilized in the slot based on his size, which could be an intriguing weapon for new offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio's offense. Wetjen ranked second in the nation with 29.8 yards per kick return. 

With the NFL's new dynamic kickoffs, Wetjen's value drastically increases, as teams are more inclined to return kicks than in previous seasons. Wetjen's fourth-round selection could be considered high for some. He was graded as a late Day 3 pick by NFL analyst Lance Zierlein. 

However, Pittsburgh has not returned a kick for a touchdown since 2017, and a punt has not been returned since 2024. Wetjen's ability could really flip the script, so the Steelers drafted accordingly. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly spoke about this on his show Kaboly + Mack. The selection was rich, but made sense for the franchise.

"The way I look at it is that's what you used to call the luxury pick, right? You have pretty much your entire staff or your roster pretty much filled out. So, what do we need to just set us over that hump? Oh, I need myself a good kick and punt returner," Kaboly said. 

Pittsburgh has added to multiple positions of need. The organization seems confident that they have starters at every spot, and the earlier draft picks could be starters or very key supplemental players. 

Picking Wetjen in the fourth round was to ensure that they have a returner who can flip the field for them. He is a dual returner, meaning he can run back punts and kicks, which are two very different jobs. This will impact the Steelers in the long run, as he can take up two roster spots on his own. 

Wetjen's skill could be more expendable than just as a returner. As previously mentioned, he did not play a ton of receiver at Iowa. However, Iowa's offense is run-heavy and could have been a reason why Wetjen didn't see a ton of snaps. In the Steelers' offense, there could be an opportunity for Wetjen. Kaboly talked about this as well.

"Honestly, how many kick returns are there? I mean, you're lucky to get one a game, right? Punt returns, the punters are so good that it's going to be a fair catch. So that's almost irrelevant right now, but I think they might try to circle him into something more than that. Maybe some gadget type of stuff," Kaboly said. 

Pittsburgh has the opportunity to make a really expendable player with Wetjen. He can carve a role for himself in the offense purely based on his speed. If he can continue to develop as a receiver, while still being the elite returner that he established himself to be, then his fourth-round selection would be justified. 

Steelers Are Adding At Their Weak Points From 2025

Kick and punt returns of great quality were scarce in 2025. Adding Wetjen will help to remedy that problem. The Steelers had some mishaps on the kickoff and were one of the league's worst teams in average kick return yards, averaging only 24.2 yards. Pittsburgh's fourth-round choice averaged over five more yards than that on his own in college. 

The goal is to flip the field and help the offense's field position as much as possible. Hopefully, the Steelers' special teams can be a strength for them in 2026. 

#SteelerNation