Eli Heidenreich
Eli Heidenreich
The Pittsburgh Steelers kept all 10 members of their rookie draft class on their 53-man roster, including the last selection in Eli Heidenreich. He had a very tough battle to make the roster, but Heidenreich beat out several players for the third and final running back spot.
He was solid as a runner in the preseason, but his special teams capabilities are a large part of the reason he’s on the roster, and it gives him some time to figure things out on the offensive side of the ball. To his head coach, Mike McCarthy, Heidenreich is learning quickly.
“I mean, he wouldn’t be here today if he wasn’t part of special teams responsibility. That’s normal for young players, especially someone with Eli’s skill set. So, yes, he’s definitely making a lot of progress,” McCarthy said before practice Thursday via a team-provided transcript.
Positional versatility is something the Steelers’ new staff values, and, of course, that’s part of Heidenreich’s appeal. He’s been in the running back room throughout the start of his young Steelers career, but he can work as a pass catcher too. Heidenreich had nearly 2,000 career receiving yards at Navy, so he’ll be a checkdown option for Aaron Rodgers when he does find a way onto the field.
However, he’s still behind Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren, who will take the bulk of snaps at running back. That’s why Heidenreich’s special teams abilities are so important. Most notably, he got some reps returning kicks in the Steelers’ final preseason game against Buffalo. Heidenreich returned two kickoffs for 47 yards in that game.
The Steelers see special teams value in him, and they had him as the second deep returner opposite Kaden Wetjen on those kickoffs. He also figures to slot into the personal protector spot on the punt team.
Heidenreich still has a long road to meaningful playing time. The special teams snaps will be important. But it’s going to take a lot for him to have a consistent offensive role. When everyone’s healthy, Pittsburgh has two running backs and a laundry list of receivers it might look to over Heidenreich.
But he’s done the hardest part by making the 53-man roster. If he can continue to contribute on special teams, he’ll keep buying himself time to establish a role offensively. For now, McCarthy is impressed with the progress Eli Heidenreich is making.