The Pittsburgh Steelers have established a strong trend in their recent draft classes. No matter when the pick was made, Pittsburgh has ended up keeping all of its rookie picks in the Omar Khan era. In fact, the team has barely cut former picks under the Khan regime.
That will certainly change this year.
Some names already feel like obvious cuts. However, the biggest trend breaker may come from Eli Heidenreich. The seventh-round pick out of Navy was once highlighted as the "greatest seventh-round pick in Steelers history", but he hasn't had the summer he needs to crack the roster.
With roster cuts right around the corner, it feels like the end of the line for the rookie. Assuming he is cut, he would be the first rookie ever released by Khan.
Eli Heidenreich could be the first rookie draft pick cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers under GM Omar Khan
There was a clear roster spot for Heidenreich to make the team as a third or fourth running back. Aside from Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, there was no set running back to make the roster.
Heidenreich felt like a good option. He has a versatile skill set as a receiver and a runner. While not proven, he also felt like he could be an asset on special teams.
An injury in camp slowed him down, and he hasn't flashed on the field during the preseason. Meanwhile, Travis Homer is a known special teams player, while Lew Nichols has been effective as a runner in the preseason, just like he was last year.
On the plus side, it feels like Heidenreich is ahead of Kaleb Johnson. Given how far the former third-round pick has fallen, it isn't saying much.
There was hope that the Steelers could keep four running backs. In doing so, the team could have afforded to stash Heidenreich had he shown more on offense and special teams. That no longer seems like an option.
With the Steelers potentially keeping four quarterbacks and a slew of depth along the defensive line and secondary, a fourth running back isn't in the cards. Whoever makes the third spot will have to be ready if called upon, but otherwise won't see the field much offensively.
Heidenreich isn't ready for that. He would do better with a year on the practice squad to see if he can sharpen his skills.
Assuming he is cut, he will become the first rookie draft pick to be released by the Khan-led Steelers. It feels like a forgone conclusion for the young player, but there is still a chance he comes back via the practice squad after cuts.
Heidenreich is set to make recent Steelers history. Unfortunately, it isn't the kind of history you want to see a young rookie make.
Add us as a preferred source on Google