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Behind the Steel Curtain fantasy football takes on Eli Heidenreich
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Behind the Steel Curtain about Eli Heidenreich.
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Insight ledger
All Behind the Steel Curtain insights about Eli Heidenreich
NegativeUsageSep 15, 2026
Rookie Eli Heidenreich logged 13 special teams snaps in Week 1, contributing to the Steelers' new special teams group.PositiveRoleSep 9, 2026
Joey Bray highlights Eli Heidenreich as one of the biggest surprises of the 53-man roster, noting he will serve as the team's RB3 and personal protector on special teams, with potential to get runs as a return man. Despite being a seventh-round pick, Bray emphasizes he has one of the clearest paths to immediate production of any Steelers rookie and is an underrated pick for Steelers Rookie of the Year.PositiveBreakoutSep 2, 2026
Heidenreich, a seventh-round running back, made the 53-man roster after a strong preseason Week 3 performance against Buffalo; he showed more burst as a runner than consensus RB3 candidate Travis Homer, displayed decisive running and power, logged a special teams kickoff tackle, saw reps as personal protector on punt team, and looks like a capable return man to back up fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen, earning the nickname 'Swiss Navy Knife' for his versatility.PositiveDepth ChartAug 30, 2026
Eli Heidenreich made the Steelers' 53-man roster, surviving final roster cuts at the running back position.PositiveDepth ChartAug 30, 2026
Undrafted rookie running back made the Steelers' 53-man roster after impressing throughout preseason in a crowded RB room. The former Navy standout demonstrated versatility as both a runner and kick returner, showing the effort and physicality needed to earn opportunities on special teams and separate himself from competition.NegativeDepth ChartAug 29, 2026
The source believes Eli Heidenreich will begin the year on the practice squad rather than make the 53-man roster, though notes he would give Heidenreich the fourth running back spot if making the decision personally.PositiveProjectionAug 28, 2026
Sixth-round pick (240th overall) Eli Heidenreich, a Mt. Lebanon high school product, offers versatility playing wide receiver and running back in college with strong awareness and open-field ability, making him a serious big-play threat. After missing a few weeks in camp with a leg injury, his 53-man roster spot is not a lock; however, he played well in the preseason finale, scoring a touchdown and getting special teams return work. The source argues he deserves a roster spot and Redman Award consideration.PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026
In the RB3 competition, Eli Heidenreich impressed in the preseason finale against Buffalo, though the battle for the third running back spot didn't gain much clarity as Lew Nichols also looked like an NFL-caliber ball-carrier and Travis Homer showed burst on special teams.PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026
Seventh-round RB made last-minute push for RB3 spot ahead of cutdown day; nine carries for 35 yards and TD with improved decisiveness and light footwork; showed play strength keeping momentum through contact; demonstrated special teams value with 26-yard kickoff return and at least one tackle; likely headed to practice squad redshirt but had best preseason showing in finale; still awaiting opportunity to show pass-catching ability.PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026
Eli Heidenreich scored a nine-yard touchdown run in the preseason finale, capping an 11-play, 68-yard drive led by Drew Allar. The touchdown run featured a great lead block by rookie right tackle Max Iheanachor, who cleared a path for Heidenreich at the goal line, demonstrating his role in the Steelers' red-zone offense.NegativeUsageAug 23, 2026
Seventh-round rookie running back had a surprisingly quiet preseason with only two carries for nine yards against the Jets and nine carries for 2.3-yard average against the Packers; has not yet had an opportunity to make a reception or return, leaving his full skill set unexplored in preseason action.NegativeUsageAug 23, 2026
The source notes that rookie seventh-rounder Eli Heidenreich has had a surprisingly quiet preseason. Against the Jets, he carried the ball twice for nine yards. Against the Packers the previous week, he saw a solid nine carries but managed only a 2.3-yard average. The source indicates the RB3 role remains a mystery, with Heidenreich not getting consistent opportunity despite being drafted for that role.NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026
Eli Heidenreich showed more juice as a runner than Travis Homer in the preseason opener and saw snaps as a kick returner, though fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen caught the ball on each return rep. He is competing for the RB3 spot alongside Homer, Lew Nichols, and Kaleb Johnson.NegativeInjuryAug 18, 2026
Context for Steelers' conservative injury management approach in 2024; missed significant time during training camp with an injury that appeared minor, establishing precedent for how the organization handles summer injuries and setting expectations for other injured players like Max Iheanachor.PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026
Eli Heidenreich made a spinning catch for a touchdown on a Mason Rudolph pass during practice, which got a huge reaction from the crowd. The Mt. Lebanon kid is already a massive fan favorite, suggesting strong local support and positive team reception as he competes for a roster spot in the RB3 depth chart alongside Kaleb Johnson on the third and fourth teams.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
The recent seventh-rounder saw nine carries in the preseason opener, seven more than former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson, suggesting he's ahead of Johnson on the depth chart and has a better roster chance.NegativeInjuryAug 6, 2026
Running back/wide receiver held out of practice with undisclosed injury.NegativeRoleAug 4, 2026
Running back Eli Heidenreich was one of the RB3 candidates thrown into reps pretty evenly throughout camp thus far. The source notes the Steelers have tough decisions to make in the running back room, with Heidenreich competing alongside Kaleb Johnson and Lew Nichols for the RB3 role. Heidenreich also lined up as a first-team kickoff returner alongside Kaden Wetjen.PositiveSleeperAug 3, 2026
Heidenreich, a Navy prospect from Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, was selected 230th overall in the seventh round—a value pick the source calls a steal. In 2025, he totaled 1,440 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns: 499 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 77 carries (23 forced missed tackles, nine runs of 15+ yards), plus 51 catches on 79 targets for 941 yards and six touchdowns. He ran legitimate post, over, seam, and go routes from slot and wide deployments, not just swings and screens. The source notes he isn't Christian McCaffrey but should be able to do many different things in Mike McCarthy's offense if given the opportunity. McCarthy confirmed Heidenreich is getting the hang of the offense, and the rookie expressed joy at joining his childhood favorite team.NegativeUsageJul 30, 2026
Seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich entered camp with significant hype and was thought to potentially challenge Kaleb Johnson for the RB3 role, but has not been getting much run through the first two practices. Johnson has been getting those reps over Heidenreich consistently to start camp. Heidenreich has been getting work as a punt returner, and his versatility as a runner, receiver, and returner should give him a good shot to make the team, but the lack of offensive usage gives his stock a downward trend early.