Eli Heidenreich could be a swiss army knife weapon for the Broncos

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 4: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen makes a catch to score a touchdown during the second quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft is Navy running back/wide receiver Eli Heidenreich. He is a 6-0, 198-pound playmaker who profiles as an intriguing pass-catching do-it-all running back in the NFL. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has Heidenreich ranked as his RB9 and projects him to be a 5th-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Heidenreich played three seasons for Navy and was a consistent playmaker for them during that span. During his three-year career, he played in 38 games and totaled 169 rushing attempts for 1,157 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry, 7 rushing touchdowns, and 109 receptions for 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns. This past year, Heidenreich played in 13 games and totaled 77 rushing attempts for 499 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry, 3 rushing touchdowns, and 51 receptions for 941 yards and 6 touchdowns. If you combine all that, he had 128 touches for 1,440 yards and 9 touchdowns this past season.

After re-signing veteran running back JK Dobbins to pair with second-year running back RJ Harvey, the Denver Broncos are still expected to add to their running back room. If they wait until Day 3 of the draft, Navy’s Swiss Army Knife Eli Heidenreich fits what Sean Payton loves to do perfectly. He is productive as a runner, but he is also a weapon as a pass catcher and could be someone he utilizes in the passing game as a running back or even a wide receiver.

Player Profile

Eli Heidenreich | Running Back/Wide Receiver | Navy

• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 198 pounds
• Arm Length: 29 1/4 inches
• Hand Size: 9.5 inches
• 40-time: 4.44 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.55 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches
• Broad Jump: 10-0
• Bench Press: 16 reps
• 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.22 seconds (Pro Day)
• 3-Cone Drill: 6.55 seconds (Pro Day)

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Versatile player who made plays as a running back AND wide receiver
• Not the biggest guy, but he is well-built and has a muscular frame
• Has quick feet and can make sudden movements in space without losing any speed
• Displays excellent vision in space (as a runner and pass catcher)
• Is a physical runner who isn’t afraid to lower his shoulders and fight for extra yards
• Has good contact balance
• Very good and strong hands with a low drop rate, and was good at contested catches
• Tracks the ball well and made a lot of plays down the field
• Slippery route runner who can get open quickly and profiles as a dangerous slot demon
• Excellent character and strong practice habits
• Has some limited punt return experience

Weaknesses

• His fit in the NFL will take some creativity – Is he a RB or a WR?
• Never had more than 77 carries in a season in college
• Tested well, but on film, he lacks elite long speed and may not have the elite athleticism to make NFL defenders miss in the open field
• Has short arms, which will give him a smaller catch radius
• Wasn’t asked to pass protect much, so he’s unproven there
• Likely maxed out his frame, so he won’t be getting much bigger
• While he has the skill set to improve here, he had a limited route tree in college

What other analysts are saying about Navy RB/WR Eli Heidenreich?

The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on RB/WR Eli Heidenreich

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. 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.

NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on RB/WR Eli Heidenreich

Versatile and productive, Heidenreich possesses good size and toughness. Most of his run production came on jet sweeps from Navy’s option attack, but he appears to lack the acceleration to outpace NFL pursuit as a wide runner. He was a strong tester, displaying the ability to take on a bigger chunk of route-running than he saw in college. He’s short-limbed with a limited catch radius, but he hangs on tight when it hits his hands. Teams will like the mentality and his special-teams potential, but he might lack the necessary athleticism to uncover on routes or elude tacklers with the ball in his hands.

Eli Heidenreich’s RAS

Should the Broncos draft Navy RB/WR Eli Heidenreich on day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft?

I could see Sean Payton loving his skill set.

One, he checks the character box. The Broncos have put a strong emphasis on character in recent years, and with his Navy background and strong practice habits, he checks that box. On top of that, his versatility as a runner and pass catcher will intrigue Payton. He loves using his running backs in the passing game, and Heidenreich will be a matchup problem for linebackers in space. He could also line him up in the slot and utilize him in the quick passing game while also using him as a returner.

With that said, he doesn’t bring the size or feature running back ability that we would prefer. Add in being untested as a pass blocker (something I believe he has the mindset to do, but may lack the ideal size), and I am not sure if he’s the right fit.

I personally like him and think he could be a sneaky weapon for the Broncos. He’s projected as a day 3/5th round pick, and I wouldn’t be upset if the Broncos drafted him. Even if they envision him as a wide receiver and take a back at some other point in the draft, I am down for it.