Popular Steelers Rookie Is Already At Risk Of Hitting The Practice Squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a large rookie class heading into training camp ahead of the 2026 season. There will be a ton of fans watching the 10 rookies that were drafted, but tons of eyes will be on a pair of those young players. The first is obviously quarterback Drew Allar. He plays a premium position, and the fans are desperate for the franchise to find its next long-term quarterback, and Allar could be that guy. The other rookie that fans will be keeping a close eye on is seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich. He is a fan-favorite as he is from Mt. Lebanon.

Heidenreich is a rare case as he is a skill player that was drafted out of a service academy. He played his college football at Navy, where he was a versatile playmaker. He played a lot of receiver, and he also lined up in the backfield a good amount, and fans are hoping that versatility can shine in Pittsburgh as well. He has received some lofty comparisons before even stepping on an NFL field, and he is currently viewed as a player that is on the bubble when it comes to making the final roster. Beat writer Mike DeFabo recently discussed this rookie class in an article for The Athletic, where he predicted Heidenreich would start his rookie year on the practice squad.

"Crunching the numbers, Heidenreich will probably need to play his way onto the 53-man roster with a strong camp," DeFabo wrote. "Even then, it might take an injury. It also hurts his chances that the Steelers spent a fourth-round pick on a returner, an area Heidenreich could have found a way onto the roster. I’d probably pencil him in as a practice squad player to start the year, but that doesn’t mean it’s where his career will end."

DeFabo believes that Heidenreich will begin the season on the practice squad, which is a bit risky as another team could come along and steal him. There are some maneuvers that the Steelers could use to protect him from being stolen off of the practice squad, but there is still a risk when it comes to stashing players there.

DeFabo mentioned that Heidenreich is at a disadvantage due to the fact that the franchise drafted a return specialist in Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round. Returning kickoffs or punts is an area that Heidenreich could have contributed, but that nod will likely go to Wetjen first. Wetjen could also play a similar role to Heidenreich on the offensive side of the ball, which means the versatile rookie is facing an uphill battle.

Versatility is something that Heidenreich has going for him. He has mostly been playing running back up to this point, but the team should be giving him some looks at receiver at some point. An injury in either of those spots would give him the opportunity to step up and prove his worth during his rookie season. He has received comparisons to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, but he has a long way to go before he can be in those conversations. He first has to make the roster.

Steelers' Important Tandem Could Help Eli Heidenreich

Mike McCarthy is a creative offensive mind, and he could certainly draw some things up for Heidenreich. A creative offense could help the young player make the team as he would be able to display his skills, as would a good relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. If the veteran quarterback can trust Heidenreich catching passes out of the backfield, or even out wide, that would be a reason to keep him around throughout the 2026 season. Only time will tell if the rookie has a future in Pittsburgh, but a ton of fans would be disappointed if he didn't get a chance to play in the regular season.

What do you think about DeFabo's prediction that Heidenreich would begin the year on the practice squad? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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