When the Steelers selected RB Eli Heidenreich in the 2026 NFL Draft, it was a feel-good moment to cap the draft in Pittsburgh. Here’s the hometown kid and U.S. Naval Academy graduate walking out in his dress uniform to join his favorite childhood team.

Will the dream continue for Heidenreich? Will he be able to latch on to the 53-man roster as a rookie? Beat writer Mark Kaboly doesn’t think so.

“I think he’s destined for the [practice squad],” Kaboly said Monday on 93.7 The Fan’s The Fan Morning Show. “That doesn’t mean he’s not gonna eventually be a contributor, but the practice squad’s there for a reason.”

That would certainly put a bit of a wet blanket on Eli Heidenreich’s storybook story. But is he really destined for the practice squad?

Well, Heidenreich, despite being listed as a running back, graduated from the Naval Academy as its all-time leading receiver. In his final year, he caught 51 passes for 941 yards (18.5 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. Over the course of three years, he caught 109 passes for 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Oh, and Heidenreich put up 6.8 yards per carry over his career, too. He carried the ball 169 times for 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns. Eli Heidenreich can do it all out of the backfield, and offensive coaches want that versatility. That’s why Greg Cosell sees a role for him in Pittsburgh, even as a rookie.

However, the Steelers have a number of running backs ahead of Heidenreich. They signedRico Dowdle, who has run for 1,000+ yards in each of the last two seasons. Plus, he played for new head coach Mike McCarthy previously in Dallas. Then there’s Jaylen Warren, who has proven to be a versatile weapon in Pittsburgh. Also, the Steelers have Kaleb Johnson, last year’s third-round pick.

As Kaboly said, Eli Heidenreich ending up on the practice squad would not be a death sentence for his NFL career. It would give him time to hone his skills and impress the coaches. However, there will be plenty of people disappointed if the beautiful moment at the end of the 2026 NFL Draft culminates, at least this year, in nothing more than a practice squad appointment.