Overview
- Pittsburgh selected Navy running back Eli Heidenreich with pick No. 230 in the seventh round, adding a Mt. Lebanon native to its draft class.
- His mother told CBS that he intends to commission as a Marine Corps officer in the reserves to allow him to pursue NFL opportunities.
- The Steelers invited his longtime Navy teammate Alex Tecza, a fullback, to rookie minicamp for a tryout.
- Scouting reports list a 4.44-second 40-yard dash for Heidenreich and highlight his dual threat skills as a runner and receiver.
- As a late-round pick, he will likely compete for special-teams work and a niche offensive role, a path other Steelers with military backgrounds have taken, including Rocky Bleier and Alejandro Villanueva.