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Behind the Steel Curtain fantasy football takes on Kaden Wetjen
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Behind the Steel Curtain about Kaden Wetjen.
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Insight ledger
All Behind the Steel Curtain insights about Kaden Wetjen
NegativeUsageSep 15, 2026
Rookie returner Kaden Wetjen logged 10 special teams snaps in Week 1, contributing to the Steelers' special teams.NegativeRoleSep 9, 2026
Rookie returner Kaden Wetjen is the listed starter at both kick and punt return positions. After a rough preseason, he showed improvement in the final game against the Bills. However, Wetjen cannot afford fumbles or procedural miscues if he wants to remain on the roster through the season. His performance in Week 1 vs. the Falcons will be critical to his roster security.NegativeRoleSep 2, 2026
Wetjen's roster spot has more to do with special teams than offense, though he can contribute to the latter in limited roles. He's a depth piece with special teams value rather than a primary offensive contributor.NegativeRoleSep 2, 2026
Wetjen is a fellow rookie who is the primary return man, with seventh-round running back Eli Heidenreich backing him up in that role.NegativeDepth ChartAug 30, 2026
Kaden Wetjen made the Steelers' 53-man roster as a wide receiver.PositiveDepth ChartAug 29, 2026
The source projects Kaden Wetjen will make the Steelers' initial 53-man roster as the sixth wide receiver.PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026
The rookie out of Iowa began the preseason with a 74-yard catch and a touchdown, and ended it with a 45-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter against the Bills. He struggled to get anything going in the return game in the first half but sprung away from Bills' punt coverage in the second half. The source notes that if he can house at least one kick during the regular season, many will forget about the Steelers reaching in the fourth round for a return specialist. He is described as one of the best return men in college football history (two-time Jet Award winner) and the highs of his first NFL training camp are very high.PositiveBreakoutAug 28, 2026
Fourth-round WR/return specialist provided team's most electric moment with 45-yard punt return TD in fourth quarter; had rough outing previous week against Jets and inconsistent early returns in Buffalo game (ranging from fine to poor decision-making), but delivered explosive play late in game right as sentiment had turned negative; timing and execution suggest intriguing upside ahead.PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026
The rookie fourth-round pick was initially penciled in for a stock-down assessment after struggling throughout the preseason with two backwards punt returns in the first half. However, Wetjen made the play of the preseason with a 45-yard punt return touchdown in the second half, which all but secures him a roster spot as the Steelers' primary return man.PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026
Kaden Wetjen locked up his roster spot with a standout special teams performance in the preseason finale, taking a punt 45 yards for a touchdown to put the Steelers up 27-17. The source notes this play showed exactly why the Steelers felt comfortable spending a fourth-round pick on him, indicating his special teams value is critical to his roster security.NegativeDepth ChartAug 26, 2026
Wetjen, a fourth-round pick, faces roster uncertainty after a lackluster preseason game and fumbled once and bobbled a punt return against the Jets; head coach Mike McCarthy has not sounded enthused about him in recent interviews, and his leash as a returner may be shorter than many realize given the team's low tolerance for special teams mistakes.NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026
The source notes that rookie return specialist Kaden Wetjen fumbled on one punt return and bobbled another. While the source acknowledges the excuse of it being his second-ever NFL game is fair, it's less so for a rookie drafted primarily for special teams where it's imperative to impress even in small sample sizes. The source notes another mistake next week could lead to legitimate concerns over what the Steelers do at returner entering September, though the source wouldn't be too worried given expected NFL jitters and Wetjen's high-end burst evident on a 13-yard return in the third quarter.NegativeDepth ChartAug 22, 2026
Fourth-round rookie receiver/return specialist is 'on the bubble' to make the 53-man roster according to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, despite impressive preseason debut against Green Bay (2 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD including 74-yard reception; 61 yards on 3 kickoff returns, 10 yards on 2 punt returns). His second preseason outing against the Jets was far quieter—he averaged just 7.2 yards on 4 punt returns, lost a fumble in the third quarter, and did not catch a pass. Kaboly's assessment is that one explosive preseason performance does not automatically guarantee a roster spot; Wetjen has one more preseason game against Buffalo to strengthen his case before final roster decisions.PositiveBreakoutAug 16, 2026
Rookie receiver made explosive play on Allar's first NFL pass attempt; Allar ripped a fastball to Wetjen on a Levels concept, and Wetjen got away with a push-off before turning on the jets for a big gain. Source calls this 'the big highlight of the night' and notes Wetjen created explosive yards after the catch despite the play not being spectacular from Allar's perspective—good velocity and placement allowed the rookie receiver to take it to the house.PositiveBreakoutAug 15, 2026
Rookie WR/return specialist impressed in preseason debut against Green Bay with 2 catches for 79 yards and 1 TD, including a 74-yard catch-and-run and 5-yard TD pass from fellow rookie Drew Allar. Selected 121st overall (4th round) primarily for special-teams ability, but his offensive production in preseason—combined with his college pedigree as a two-time Jet Award winner and consensus All-American—suggests his value to Pittsburgh may extend well beyond return duties. Kirk Herbstreit called him "a freak" and expressed excitement about his potential with the Steelers.PositiveRoleAug 15, 2026
Backup wide receiver positioned to earn meaningful snaps and increased opportunity with Metcalf and Pittman sidelined due to injury. The source notes that additional absences of veteran receivers would give Wetjen another chance to establish his role in the offense.PositiveUsageAug 14, 2026
Caught a 75-yard completion from Drew Allar that set up Allar's rushing touchdown in preseason debut, then caught another touchdown pass from Allar later in the game. Wetjen was a primary target for the rookie QB, helping turn three of Allar's drives into touchdowns.PositiveBreakoutAug 14, 2026
Rookie fourth-rounder had a quiet debut as a returner but displayed strong offensive potential with a 74-yard catch-and-run on Drew Allar's first pass that showcased his short-area quickness and open-field vision, plus a late touchdown catch.PositiveProjectionAug 14, 2026
The rookie tight end caught a short rollout TD pass from Drew Allar in the preseason opener, one of Allar's three total touchdowns. This early target share suggests Wetjen could be involved in the red zone offense.PositiveBreakoutAug 14, 2026
Fourth-round rookie WR/return specialist emerged as the Steelers' leading receiver in his first preseason game despite being drafted primarily for return duties. Wetjen took a 10-yard completion from Drew Allar and turned it into a 74-yard catch that nearly went for a touchdown, showcasing the breakaway speed the Steelers were betting on. On the following drive, Allar found Wetjen in the end zone for a touchdown after the rookie created serious separation for himself.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
Two-time Jet Award winner Kaden Wetjen caught a 75-yard strike from Drew Allar on an in-breaker in the third quarter and later hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Allar to extend the Steelers' lead to 21-9, establishing early chemistry with the rookie quarterback.NegativeRoleAug 6, 2026
Wide receiver/returner is not a good pass-catcher; dropped consecutive passes from Drew Allar during the two-minute drill. Despite being a terrific returner in college and potentially in the NFL, he is not an NFL receiver.PositiveRoleAug 4, 2026
Kaden Wetjen took a jet sweep from Will Howard during practice and gained about 10 yards, which got a big reaction from the crowd. Wetjen also lined up as a first-team kickoff returner alongside Eli Heidenreich.NegativeRoleAug 4, 2026
Rookie Kaden Wetjen will all but certainly be the team's return specialist after being selected in the fourth round as College Football's first and only two-time Jet Award winner, the nation's top returner.PositiveRoleJul 30, 2026
Rookie fourth-rounder out of Iowa has been first in line to catch punts from Cameron Johnston in each of the first two practices, positioning him as the team's featured return man. Wetjen flashed as a receiver on a downfield throw from Will Howard that would have gone for approximately 60 yards; this is notable given he had limited downfield receiving usage in college, primarily running screen passes. The downfield flash is encouraging for his receiving role development.