At present, I wished to proceed studying in regards to the 2026 NFL Draft class for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Subsequent is Navy RB Eli Heidenreich. He was one other instance of Pittsburgh prioritizing versatility, and right this moment’s objective is so as to add some context to this from a stats perspective.
Let’s begin by Heidenreich as a receiver. Listed below are the targets and receiving grades from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) for drafted operating backs:
Heidenreich was in a league of his personal amongst his friends. He was focused 69 occasions, with the second-most coming in at 54. In actual fact, Heidenreich had essentially the most targets on the place in school soccer final season, with 63 targets rating second. So, a transparent dominance in quantity.
His elite 94.8 receiving grade was the most effective of school soccer final 12 months, and clearly the draft class. PFF grades aren’t gospel, however many different stats again this grade up. Within the FBS, Heidenreich additionally ranked first in receptions (46), yards (877), 19.1 yards per catch (min. 11 targets), touchdowns (5), 4.72 yards per route run (min. eight targets), contested targets (16), contested catches (13), and first downs (34).
A few of these engulfed the competitors. Heidenreich’s 877 receiving yards greater than doubled these of another operating again, with the second-ranked participant at 426 yards. Contested conditions have been high quality and amount that no different RB got here near, additionally doubling another operating again in contested catches and practically doing the identical on targets.
The numbers exceeded my already excessive expectations. Heidenreich displayed legit receiver expertise that have been merely unmatched at RB, as justified by the stats I’ve laid out. One other layer is alignment, the place he moved round loads for Navy. Large alignment jumps out most, doing so 91 occasions final season (53 ranked second). Versatile.
Assuming he makes the roster and stays within the RB room primarily, the Steelers have a transparent candidate to switch former Steeler Kenneth Gainwell’s manufacturing.
Now let’s take a look at Heidenreich the rusher. Listed below are speeding makes an attempt and yards per try amongst 2026 RB draft picks:
Lack of quantity jumps out straight away, with Heidenreich’s 67 rush makes an attempt being the fewest on the place within the draft class. Second-least was 113 makes an attempt, and 251 topped the category, so his backside rank was substantial.
There was high quality by way of yards per try, although, rating second-best at 6.5. The one participant with a greater mark was Jeremiyah Love (6.9), the third general decide within the draft. Contemplating Pittsburgh’s depth chart, they don’t want Heidenreich to be a workhorse rusher and are hoping for the standard aspect he displayed in school on any speeding alternatives he might get in Pittsburgh.
Heidenreich rushed for 437 yards, had three speeding scores, 14 ten-plus runs, 9 of 15-plus, and 22 first downs. None have been earth-shattering like his receiving ranks, however they have been respectable, contemplating the shortage of alternatives.
The Steelers doubtless noticed a participant who averaged a yards-per-attempt that was a profitable play or higher, and being an elite receiver in school, with versatility, they have been fortunate so as to add to the roster within the seventh spherical. That might fill an enormous position if issues go properly for Heidenreich. Not only a feel-good hometown storyline. Can’t wait to see the way it pans out for him within the Black and Gold.
