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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Eli Heidenreich of the Naval Academy Midshipmen participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers made one of the neatest moves of this year’s NFL Draft when they selected Navy running back and Pittsburgh-area native Eli Heidenreich in the seventh round. While this is a cool story, it is most of the time rare to see a seventh-round pick make any sort of major impact right away or over his first few years in the NFL. However, Heidenreich could be different.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly believes Heidenreich has a similar skill set to a certain All-Pro running back. That All-Pro running back is none other than San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
GettyEli Heidenreich earned all-conference honors in his final season at Navy in 2025.
Here is what Kaboly wrote about Heidenreich on social media during the team’s rookie minicamp over the weekend:
“I am not saying that Eli Heidenreich should even be mentioned in the same breath as Christian McCaffrey because C-Mac is elite and a different breed…but you can’t help but notice similarities in how they move around a football field. (yeah, this is going to be taken out of context.)”
I am not saying that Eli Heidenreich should even be mentioned in the same breath as Christian McCaffrey because C-Mac is elite and a different breed … but you can’t help but notice similarities in how they move around a football field. (yeah, this is going to be taken out of
It is understandable what Kaboly is saying. He isn’t saying that Heidenreich is the next Christian McCaffrey. He isn’t saying he is going to become a superstar right away. He also isn’t saying that he is going to be the next great Steelers running back. All Kaboly is saying is that the rookie can do what McCaffrey can do. But does he have the same potential? If he ends up becoming just like McCaffrey down the road for Pittsburgh, he will be talked about in that city for a long, long time.
But with his skill set and with the Steelers’ need at running back, the franchise needed to draft him, regardless of where it was. His ability to run and catch the ball could add a new wrinkle to new head coach Mike McCarthy‘s offense.
GettyMike McCarthy was last an NFL head coach with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.
If McCarthy could get some of Heidenreich’s production from his college days, look out for this Steelers offense. To end his time at the Naval Academy, Heidenreich recorded back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns. He had over 3,100 scrimmage yards during his entire college career. On the ground, he averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Through the air, he averaged 18.3 yards per catch. Simply put, he was incredibly productive whenever he got the ball.
Just for fun, McCaffrey has eclipsed 1,000 scrimmage yards six times in his great career. In fact, he has eclipsed 1,200 scrimmage yards five times. The former NFL Offensive Player of the Year has rushed for over 1,000 yards five times and has even been a 1,000-yard pass-catcher. Nearly hitting the 13,000-yard mark at just 29 years of age, McCaffrey is on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer. If Heidenreich becomes anything like that for McCarthy and Co., again, look out.
Tim Lindsey A Chicago-area native, Tim Lindsey has covered the world of sports through a variety of different lenses. More specifically, he has been an NFL writer for sites such as Sports Illustrated and PFSN. Notable teams like the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers have been a major point of emphasis for the longtime writer in the past. More about Tim Lindsey
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