Steelers Add Local Star With Last Pick in NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers went with a versatile local product as their final pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen slotback Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images | Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished off their 2026 draft haul with a local product who has generated some recent hype.

With the No. 230 overall pick in the seventh round, the Steelers selected Navy's Eli Heidenreich.

A native of Pittsburgh who attended Mt. Lebanon High School, Heidenreich is a Swiss Army knife that can be used in a multitude of ways, whether it be out of the slot as a wide receiver, in the backfield or in-line.

He ran for 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 109 passes for 1,994 yards and 16 scores during his time at Navy, finishing as the program's all-time leading receiver in the process.

As a potentially strong contributor on special teams who has good hands and enough quickness to be effective as a skill position player, Heidenreich could end up being a worthwhile late-round pick for the Steelers.

Navy’s Eli Heidenreich (22) rushes with the ball during the Liberty Bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Jan. 2, 2026 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. | Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Heidrenreich, McCarthy and Khan's Reaction

Heidenreich was on hand at the draft when his name was called, leading to an incredible moment and walk-out onto the stage in his hometown.

"It was awesome," Heidrench said, per Steelers.com. "I had the whole spectrum of emotions the last 20 minutes. It's really been incredible. I am just thankful for the opportunity. I was born and raised a Steelers fan. The chance for me to go and put on that uniform and contribute to that team is unbelievable."

Heidenreich later expounded on how he felt in that moment.

"I was thinking about all the time and effort," Heidenreich said. "Things most people don't know. The unseen hours. I was thinking about my first Steelers game. So many memories in that stadium. It all hit me at once."

General manager Omar Khan was also moved by the entire scene on the North Shore once Heidenreich was selected.

"I wasn't expecting to see that on TV," Khan. said "You can't help but get emotional. That ending was tremendous. Pretty cool to watch."

Head coach Mike McCarthy is excited to insert Heidrenreich into his offense, stating he's ready to "open up the playbook a little bit."

"We talk a lot about how many downs a player plays," McCarthy said. "Does he play all four downs? His ability to play multiple positions. I think Eli [Heidenreich] definitely brings that to the table. I met with [Brian] Angelichio briefly earlier, I think we're gonna open up our playbook a little bit."

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