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The Athletic's Mike DeFabo argued Pittsburgh Steelers seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich could have a hard time making Mike McCarthy's final roster this season.
Head coach Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers created one of the best moments of the 2026 NFL Draft with the selection of Navy’s Eli Heidenreich late on Day 3. The dual-threat running back is from Mt. Lebanon, which is located less than 10 miles from Acrisure Stadium.
But a few days removed from that feel-good moment, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo provided a bit of a reality check with his first Steelers roster and depth chart analysis since the NFL Draft.
DeFabo suggested Heidenreich might have too similar of a skillset to fifth-rounder Kaden Wetjen to be worth a roster spot with the Steelers in 2026.
“Wetjen was probably the Steelers’ most controversial pick. He’s also an important one for several other players within the room. For [Roman] Wilson, it’s a huge win,” wrote DeFabo. “In Wetjen, the Steelers drafted a return man who might contribute as a gadget guy, instead of selecting a receiver to challenge Wilson, who could also return kicks.
“While the pick is good news for Wilson, though, it’s going to make for an uphill battle for Heidenreich. The Mt. Lebanon High School and Navy grad is a gadget guy/return specialist himself. The Steelers kept just five receivers last year. Even if they keep six, it might be hard for the local kid to climb the depth chart as it currently stands.”
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb