Steelers rookie earns massive praise from Art Rooney II

It's never a bad sign when an NFL owner considers a draft prospect to be the greatest seventh-round selection the team has ever made — and that's exactly the scenario Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Eli Heidenreich finds himself in. Art Rooney II, when discussing a variety of Steelers-related topics on NFL Network's The Insiders, praised Heidenreich as one of the top highlights from the 2026 NFL Draft . "But the other highlight was when we drafted Eli [Heidenreich]," Rooney said.

"The reception he got there, in the seventh round, was probably the greatest seventh-round pick we've ever made. " "Probably the greatest 7th round pick we've ever made" - Art Rooney II In a draft full of memorable moments, Pittsburgh saved one of the best for last 🤩 @steelers | @EHeidenreich44 pic. twitter.

com/JwNa2o2koz — NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 29, 2026 When looking at some of the Steelers ' all-time seventh-round draft picks, like Pro Bowl linebacker David Little in 1981 and two-time Super Bowl champion defensive lineman Brett Keisel in 2002, Rooney's high praise of Heidenreich is astonishing, to say the least. With many comparing Heidenreich to Christian McCaffrey and Rooney considering him "probably" the greatest seventh-round pick in team history, it's safe to say the Steelers rookie has massive expectations to meet moving forward. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Eli Heidenreich receives huge compliment from Art Rooney II