Trending Now - Steelers Select Kaden Wetjen as Unique Draft Choice in Round 4

WHO:

Heavy NFL - Michael Keaton announced a pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the NFL Draft.

Heavy NFL - Kaden Wetjen revealed he was in a "weird" location during the NFL Draft when selected by the Steelers.

Heavy NFL - Kaden Wetjen revealed he was in an unusual location during the NFL Draft when selected by the Steelers.

Heavy NFL - Kaden Wetjen, a wide receiver from Iowa, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Draft Sharks - The Pittsburgh Steelers are the team that selected Wetjen.

WHAT:

Sportskeeda - The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Eli Heidenreich, a former Navy Midshipmen running back, with the 230th pick in the NFL Draft.

steelers.com - Wetjen was named a consensus All-American in 2025 as a returner, including selections to the Walter Camp, AFCA, Sporting News, FWAA, USA Today, On3, and PFF first-team All-America lists.

steelers.com - Wetjen was also named to The Athletic second-team All-America list in 2025.

steelers.com - Wetjen's 2025 season included 21 punt returns for 563 yards and three touchdowns, and 16 kickoff returns for 476 yards and one touchdown.

steelers.com - Wetjen's 26.8-yard punt return average in 2025 is a NCAA Division I and Big Ten single-season record.

steelers.com - Wetjen's three punt return touchdowns in 2025 are tied for third-most in a single season in Big Ten history.

steelers.com - Wetjen's 563 punt return yards in 2025 is a single-season school record.

steelers.com - Wetjen returned four punts for 182 yards, including a career-high long return of 95 yards for a touchdown, in a game against UMass in 2025.

steelers.com - Wetjen's 182 punt return yards in that game ranked fourth in Big Ten single-game history.

steelers.com - Wetjen is the first two-time winner of The Jet Award since its inception in 2011.

steelers.com - Wetjen was a consensus All-American in 2025 as a returner and was named Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year for the second time, becoming the first two-time recipient since the award's inception in 2015.

Heavy NFL - Wetjen was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, specifically the 121st overall pick.

steelers.com - Wetjen was named to the Walter Camp, AFCA, Sporting News, FWAA, USA Today, On3, and PFF first-team All-America lists in 2025.

steelers.com - Wetjen was also named to The Athletic second-team All-America list in 2025.

steelers.com - Wetjen's 2025 season included 21 punt returns for 563 yards and three touchdowns, and 16 kickoff returns for 476 yards and one touchdown.

steelers.com - Wetjen's 26.8-yard punt return average in 2025 is a NCAA Division I and Big Ten single-season record.

steelers.com - Wetjen's three punt return touchdowns in 2025 are tied for third-most in a single season in Big Ten history.

steelers.com - Wetjen's 563 punt return yards in 2025 is a single-season school record.

steelers.com - Wetjen returned four punts for 182 yards, including a career-high long return of 95 yards for a touchdown, in a game against UMass in 2025.

steelers.com - Wetjen's 182 punt return yards in that game ranked fourth in Big Ten single-game history.

steelers.com - Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman stated, "He plays the game fearlessly, but he plays it smart," regarding Wetjen's abilities as a dual return player.

steelers.com - Crossman noted, "Our top rated dual return player, and in this new dynamic kickoff age of the National Football League, to have a guy that's in our opinion very good at both, we think it's going to be a major addition and pay dividends for the club."

steelers.com - Wetjen is the first two-time winner of The Jet Award since its inception in 2011.

steelers.com - Kaden Wetjen started seven of the 40 games he appeared in for Iowa, recording 23 receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown over three seasons.

steelers.com - Wetjen had 954 punt return yards with a 17.7-yard average and four touchdowns, and returned 56 kickoffs for 1,538 yards with a 27.5-yard average and two touchdowns.

steelers.com - Wetjen's career punt return average of 17.7 ranks first, and his kickoff return average of 27.5 ranks third in Big Ten history.

steelers.com - Wetjen set the Iowa single-season record for punt return yards with 563 in 2025, leading the nation in punt return average at 26.8 yards.

steelers.com - Wetjen returned the opening kickoff in a game against Rutgers for 100 yards for a touchdown, tying a school and Big Ten record.

Draft Sharks - The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

RotoWire NFL - Wetjen was picked 121st overall in the draft.

WHERE:

Variety - Michael Keaton returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh to announce the Steelers' NFL Draft pick.

Heavy NFL - Wetjen revealed he was in an unusual location during the NFL Draft when selected by the Steelers.

WHEN:

Sportskeeda - Eli Heidenreich was selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.

Draft Sharks - The selection occurred during the 2026 NFL Draft.

WHY:

steelers.com - Crossman expressed confidence in Wetjen's potential impact, saying, "Obviously there seems to be a good consensus that he was a high-level player that can help the club to victories."

HOW:

steelers.com - Wetjen opened his college career with two seasons at Iowa Western Community College before transferring to Iowa.

Draft Sharks - Wetjen opened his college career with two seasons at Iowa Western Community College before transferring to Iowa.

(UPDATED April 26, 2026 17:08 UTC)

Michael Keaton made a special return to his hometown of Pittsburgh to announce the Pittsburgh Steelers' pick during the NFL Draft. The Steelers selected Eli Heidenreich, a former Navy Midshipmen running back, with the 230th pick in the seventh round. This exciting moment highlights the team's commitment to bringing in fresh talent as they look ahead to the upcoming season.

(UPDATED April 26, 2026 15:09 UTC)

Kaden Wetjen, who was recently selected by the Steelers during the NFL Draft, shared that he found himself in a "weird" location at the time of his selection. Wetjen had an impressive 2025 season, earning consensus All-American honors as a returner and setting a NCAA Division I and Big Ten single-season record with a 26.8-yard punt return average, along with three punt return touchdowns that tie for third-most in Big Ten history. Steelers special teams coordinator Crossman expressed confidence in Wetjen's abilities, noting that there is a strong consensus about his potential to contribute significantly to the team's success.

(UPDATED April 26, 2026 09:15 UTC)

Kaden Wetjen made headlines when he revealed he was in an unusual location during the NFL Draft, where he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers picked Wetjen in the fourth round as the 121st overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Before joining the Steelers, Wetjen began his college career with two seasons at Iowa Western Community College before transferring to Iowa.

(UPDATED April 26, 2026 04:05 UTC)

In a standout 2025 season, Wetjen earned first-team All-America honors from multiple organizations, including Walter Camp and USA Today, while also making The Athletic's second-team list. He achieved remarkable statistics with 21 punt returns for 563 yards and three touchdowns, setting a NCAA Division I and Big Ten single-season record with an average of 26.8 yards per return. Notably, Wetjen's impressive performance included a game against UMass where he returned four punts for 182 yards, marking the fourth-highest single-game total in Big Ten history.

(UPDATED April 26, 2026 01:22 UTC)

Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Crossman praised Wetjen as a dual return player, saying, "He plays the game fearlessly, but he plays it smart." Crossman highlighted Wetjen as their top-rated dual return player, emphasizing that in the evolving kickoff landscape of the NFL, his skills will be a significant asset for the team. Wetjen also made history as the first two-time winner of The Jet Award since it began in 2011, further solidifying his reputation as a high-level player who can contribute to the club's success.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 21:10 UTC)

Kaden Wetjen has made a significant impact during his time at Iowa, starting seven of the 40 games he played and recording 23 receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown over three seasons. He excelled as a return specialist, racking up 954 punt return yards with an impressive average of 17.7 yards and four touchdowns, while also returning 56 kickoffs for 1,538 yards at a 27.5-yard average and two touchdowns. Wetjen was recognized as a consensus All-American in 2025 and became the first two-time recipient of the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year award, setting the Iowa single-season record for punt return yards with 563 that same year.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 19:16 UTC)

In a notable moment from the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kaden Wetjen, a wide receiver from Iowa, in the fourth round, making him the 121st overall pick. Wetjen, who began his college career at Iowa Western Community College before transferring to Iowa, revealed he was in an unusual location when he received the news of his selection. This pick marks an exciting new chapter for Wetjen as he joins the Steelers' roster.