Tight end Riley Nowakowski is heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 169th pick overall in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Nowakowski played one season at IU after transferring from Wisconsin. He was a key to the Hoosiers’ success on offense.
What the Steelers are Getting?
Nowakowski looks and plays like a Steeler. He plays with a chip on his shoulder as a former walk-on linebacker. He started his career at Wisconsin where he bounced from defense to offense.
As a Hoosier, he was used as a tight end and H-back. He was a tremendous blocker and was clutch in the passing game. Nowakowski finished with 32 catches for 387 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two touchdowns, lining up as a fullback. He is tough to bring down as a ball carrier and is deceptively fast.
Nowakowski’s focus on the task never wavers. He’s reliable and tough at the point of attack and holds up well in pass protection. He lacks height/length but is well-built and plays with better technique, strain and finish than many offensive linemen in this class. He became a productive pass-catcher in 2025, but he could struggle to separate or win the seam against NFL man coverage. His character and work ethic are outstanding, and he should help elevate run-game execution wherever an offense lines him up.– Lance Zierlein NFL.com
What is Nowakowski’s 2026 Outlook?
Nowakowski brings a lot of value to an NFL team. He can play on special teams, line up as a fullback, tight end or an H-back. His roster versatility is off the charts. It may take him some time to develop into a true impact player, but with the roster limits of the NFL, Nowakowski is like having three players in one.
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