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Kaden Wetjen fantasy football news and podcast insights

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WRPIT40 insightsLatest Sep 15, 2026
22
Positive signals
7
Negative signals
6
Sources
Sep 15, 2026
Latest update
PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain
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.
PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football
Kaden Wetjen, a two-time Jet Award winner and fourth-round pick out of Iowa, began the preseason with a 74-yard catch and a touchdown. He ended it by returning a kick 45 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Bills after struggling in the return game in the first 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 for a return specialist. Despite riding the highs and lows of his first NFL training camp, the highs are very high for one of the best return men in college football history.
PositiveRoleAug 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL
The rookie receiver, drafted in the fourth round for return skills, delivered a 44-yard punt return touchdown in the fourth quarter that broke multiple tackles and showcased the nearly 30 yards per punt return average he posted in his final season at Iowa. The explosive play was badly needed to solidify his spot on the 53-man roster ahead of cut-down day, as his passing game contributions remain limited and expectations for him are low in that realm; the Steelers need him to shine on special teams, and he came through in a big way.
NegativeDepth ChartAug 26, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL
Wetjen is included in the roster projection as the team is keeping six receivers and not seeing the need to give up on a fourth-round pick after one lackluster preseason game; however, preseason performances have led to questions about him, amplified by head coach Mike McCarthy not sounding the most enthused in recent interviews. Special teams is a phase with little leeway for mistakes, and the Iowa product fumbled once and bobbled a punt return against the Jets, meaning the leash may be shorter than many realize.
NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL
Rookie return specialist Kaden Wetjen fumbled on one punt return and bobbled another against the Jets. The source notes the excuse of it being his second-ever NFL game is fair, but less so for a rookie drafted primarily for special teams where it's imperative to impress even in small sample sizes. Another mistake next week could lead to legitimate concerns over what the Steelers do at returner entering September. However, Wetjen's high-end burst was obvious on a 13-yard return in the third quarter, and the source wouldn't be too worried given expected NFL jitters for a rookie.
NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain
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, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL
Fourth-round pick Kaden Wetjen is described as 'on the bubble' to make the Steelers' 53-man roster, according to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly. Despite impressive return skills and a dominant preseason debut against Green Bay (two catches for 79 yards and a touchdown, including a 74-yard reception; 61 yards on three kickoff returns and 10 yards on two punt returns), his second preseason outing against the Jets was quiet—he averaged just 7.2 yards on four punt returns, lost a fumble, and did not catch a pass. Kaboly's assessment highlights that one explosive preseason performance does not automatically guarantee a roster spot.
NegativeDepth ChartAug 22, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain
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.
NegativeRoleAug 22, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL
Wetjen, the fourth-round pick in April's draft, was brought in primarily for his return skills after averaging nearly 30 yards per punt return during his final season at Iowa. Friday night, he returned four kicks for a total of just 29 yards and nearly committed a costly turnover with a fumble on one of them (originally ruled a Jets recovery before being overturned by replay assist). His two catches for 79 yards against the Packers were encouraging, but he had fewer than 200 receiving yards for the Hawkeyes in his final season. He's probably not a serious threat to crack the return rotation consistently. To justify a roster spot longer term, he needs to show improved explosiveness on kicks.