Mr. Do It All for Navy the last three seasons, Heidenreich had 7 rushing touchdowns and 16 receiving touchdowns in three seasons of play. He will be a solid contributor on special teams and may be a fit as a slot receiver in the right system. More teams are interested in Heidenreich than are leading on, with his versatility his biggest selling factor.
Eli Heidenreich 2026 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back / Wide Receiver
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 206 pounds
School: Navy
Eli Heidenreich's journey from Mt. Lebanon, Navy, takes national stage at NFL combine https://t.co/6XuXs2cwvp #Steelers #NFL
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) February 28, 2026
2026 NFL Draft Eli Heidenreich Scouting Report
Strengths
- Versatile offensive player, rushing for seven touchdowns and collecting 16 receiving touchdowns in three seasons for Navy
- Consistent performer, no fumbles for the Midshipmen
- Had 169 rushes and 109 receptions in three seasons
- Solid hands, doesn’t drop passes
- Athleticism score at the NFL Combine was an 82, 4th best for running backs
- Clocked at 4.44 seconds in the 40 yard dash
- 35.5” vertical jump and 10’0 in the broad jump, both above average numbers for a running back
- Smoothly changes directions, sharp route runner
- Established Navy career records for receiving with 1,994 yards
- Combine tests proved he is more capable as a receiver than he showed at Navy.
Eli Heidenreich clocked a 4.47 at the NFL Combine 🔥@EHeidenreich44 @NavyFB @mtlebofootball @210ths
🎥: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/vYfe3bBHhz
— Prospect Media (@prospectmedia_) February 28, 2026
Weaknesses
- Heidenreich has not shown he can run between the tackles.
- His frame does not have the room to add much bulk, necessary to take the pounding required of an NFL running back.
- Scouts note his success at Navy is likely due to the option offense.
- Doesn’t have high end speed to pressure defensive backs
- Lacks the size and speed to be an every down player but may fit as a third down back
- Below average burst of speed to escape man to man coverage
- Short arm length, 29 ¼” makes it difficult to nab throws that are off target
- Limited passing routes he was asked to run in Navy’s triple option offense make some question his route running abilities
- Lacks experience in pass blocking
NFL Comparison: Danny Woodhead James White Tavon Austin
Teams With Need At Position: Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Kansas City Chiefs Jacksonville Jaguars Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New Orleans Saints Seattle Seahawks Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders
Eli Heidenreich is a RB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 8.79 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1820 out of 14998 B from 1987 to 2026.
Still awaiting official splits from the Combine, but pro day testing went well.https://t.co/ZUrzoCsUxD pic.twitter.com/3qkSMqu6oY
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 12, 2026
Projection: Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line on Eli Heidenreich
Heidenreich excelled as a runner at Navy, mostly on jet sweeps, but likely projects as a slot receiver type in the NFL. Think of a Wes Welker or Julian Edelman type here if he gets in the right system. His size and speed are decent, but what stands out is how he is rarely out of position. In Navy’s system he was asked to do everything and play everywhere, and he did both well. His hands are clean. Pass protection is a concern. Can he help teams as a third down back? Absolutely. He isn’t exactly like Woodhead, but he is undersized, smart, and always falls forward.
Teams showing interest
Multiple teams have shown interest in drafting Heidenreich, as a change of pace back, slot receiver, or both. These include the Detroit Lions Las Vegas Raiders New England Patriots and Washington Commanders.
