Eli Heidenreich

● Firm-muscled with low body fat and adequate mass ● Versatile experience and can be used across the formation ● Turns over his feet quickly and slashes without gearing down ● Contested grabs (13) far outweighed drops (two) in 2025 ● Tracks the ball naturally with outstanding catch-point focus ● Above-average vision in both tight quarters and open space ● Runs square and physical with contact balance ● Wipes away defender’s hands and can’t be contained by press coverage ● Gets on defenders’ toes and separates out of route breaks (especially on angle/pivot routes) ● Outstanding practice habits; likes to be coached hard ● Has punt return experience (nine returns for 54 yards) ● Leaves Navy as most-productive pass catcher in school history

● NFL fit requires imagination, because of his blended skill set and college usage ● Likely maxed-out physically and doesn’t have tackle-breaking power ● Short-armed, which limits his target radius as a pass catcher ● Accelerates quickly but doesn’t have breakaway gear ● Inconsistent patience — can do a better job setting up blocks at the line ● Feet are quick but not overly elusive ● Unproven in pass protection, with size that likely limits him as a blocker

A starter for two-and-a-half years at Navy, Heidenreich played the “Snipe Z” position in the Midshipmen’s modern triple-option offense, which includes aggressive pass concepts (play action, verticals, etc.). He split his 2025 snaps between the backfield (44.4 percent), wide (35.4), slot (14.7) and inline (5.5), and he accounted for a sky-high 45.7 percent target share. He set Navy records for career receiving yards (1,994), single-season receiving yards (941) and single-game receiving yards (243). Heidenreich and Tavon Austin are the only FBS players since 1956 with 925-plus receiving yards and 475-plus rushing yards in the same season. Heidenreich is a versatile all-purpose athlete with acceleration and body control as both a route runner and ball carrier. More quick than explosive, he has mismatch-creating potential out of the slot and catches everything thrown his way, regardless of placement or positioning. He is unproven in pass protection, although there are no questions about his competitive toughness. Overall, Heidenreich has dynamic pass-catching ability that can be weaponized in a hybrid role by an NFL offense (think closer to Danny Woodhead than Kyle Juszczyk). He won’t be a fit for everybody, but he will be a fit for somebody. 51 Back to table of contents -- 55 of 629 --