Steelers' 2026 Fifth-Round Draft Pick Riley Nowakowski Proves Clear Direction For Pittsburgh Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers have drafted many offensive players throughout the 2026 NFL Draft. They lacked tight end depth behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Many speculated that the franchise would utilize the draft to add another tight end to the room. The front office did just that with its fifth-round pick. However, the player is even more versatile than just a tight end. 

The draft board was flying with tight end prospects earlier than many expected. The market for that position has exploded after the past few seasons, and it seems that teams are realizing it's cheaper to just draft one with potential. The Steelers lost their seemingly portionless player, Connor Heyward, in free agency. The hole will likely be filled by the Steelers' fifth-round selection, Riley Nowakowski from the University of Indiana. Nowakowski is coming off a College Football Playoff Championship with the Hoosiers and played a big role with them.

He is another versatile player, like Heyward, who played tight end, fullback, and some slot receiver in college. His versatility will prove to be important for the Steelers and how they can involve him in the new Mike McCarthy-led offense. 

Steelers Running Backs Coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr. spoke to the media after the pick, and he revealed how Nowakowski can get involved in the offense and how the Steelers will look going forward. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Chris Adamski reported this on X. 

"We see him as a fullback. Coach [Mike McCarthy] is a smashmouth football guy.... I definitely envision us using [a fullback] often. His game speaks for itself, the versatility, the ability to play multiple positions... man, we're super excited," Chinyoung said. 

Pittsburgh needed a fullback and backup tight end for its roster, and got just that in Nowakowski. Chinyoung's comments confirm that the Steelers will use a fullback in 2026, which was a question mark throughout the offseason. It proves that the Black and Gold want to stick with its hard-nosed style of football, and using a fullback will allow them to maintain physicality in the run game. 

Nowakowski played four years at the University of Wisconsin before transferring to Indiana. He was projected as a seventh-round pick according to NFL analyst Lance Zierlein. However, as mentioned, teams have prioritized tight ends way more than expected in 2026. Nowakowski offers some great skills, and Zierlein outlined them.

"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. His character and work ethic are outstanding, and he should help elevate run-game execution wherever an offense lines him up. He became a productive pass-catcher in 2025," Zierlein wrote. 

His work ethic seems to fit the Steeler way, and Pittsburgh desperately needed another fullback for its offense. Nowakowski will be vital in the run game and could prove important on special teams.

There Are Larger Implications For This Steelers Pick

This pick could mean more than just being a fullback or a Heyward replacement. The Steelers' main blocking tight end and improving pass catcher, Washington, will need an extension to remain with the team in 2027. If the team feels he's too expensive, and Nowakowski plays well, it could mean that Washington could be on the way out. However, for now, it seems like Nowakowski will be used primarily at the fullback spot. However, his play could earn him an increased role if he can prove himself a solid pass catcher in the future. 

Nowakowski will enter a brand new offense in Pittsburgh, and it seems there is already a role cut out for him. McCarthy's offense has historically utilized fullbacks and this time will be no different now that the Steelers just drafted their next one. 

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