The Pittsburgh Steelers used a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Riley Nowakowski because of everything he could potentially bring to Mike McCarthy’s offense. Nowakowski is officially listed as a fullback, but limiting him to one position would ignore the versatility that made him such an interesting prospect coming out of Indiana.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers tight end/fullback Riley Nowakowski sprints forward as he goes through a drill while the players participate in 2026 offseason workouts.
Most of the attention surrounding Nowakowski has centered on his blocking ability and physical style of play. He can line up in the backfield, play hybrid back, or move closer to the line of scrimmage as a tight end. That flexibility could allow McCarthy to change formations without substituting and force opposing defenses to reveal how they plan to match Pittsburgh’s personnel.
However, there may be another part of Nowakowski’s game that has been overlooked. The rookie believes his ability as a pass catcher is better than many evaluators have suggested. When asked by reporters at training camp whether his receiving ability is underrated, Nowakowski agreed.
"Yeah, I think so," Nowakowski said. "You know, I mean, obviously everybody can judge for themselves, but I think I do a pretty good job in the passing game."
Nowakowski certainly has evidence to support that belief. During his final college season with the Hoosiers, he caught 32 passes for 387 yards and two touchdowns. Those are legitimate receiving numbers for a player who has primarily been discussed as a blocker since Pittsburgh drafted him. He also had two carries for two yards and two touchdowns.
The rookie was not simply standing in the flat and catching an occasional checkdown, either. He was moved around the formation and allowed to contribute from several different alignments. His ability to play fullback, tight end, and H-back made him difficult to define, which could have caused his receiving ability to become lost in the larger conversation about his versatility.
That could work in Pittsburgh’s favor. Defensive coordinators will naturally expect the Steelers to run when a 250-pound fullback enters the game. If Nowakowski can slip away from the formation, find open space, and consistently secure the football, McCarthy could punish defenses for making that assumption.
Aaron Rodgers has spent his career taking advantage of defenders who lose discipline. Nowakowski will have to earn the veteran quarterback’s trust, but reliable hands and an understanding of where to settle against coverage could eventually make the rookie useful on third downs or near the goal line.
The Steelers already have Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington leading a talented tight end room. Nowakowski does not need to take opportunities away from either player to make an impact. His path will depend on becoming a dependable option who can handle several responsibilities without forcing Pittsburgh to change personnel.
That is where his underrated receiving ability becomes important. A traditional fullback who only blocks has limited value in the modern NFL. A fullback who can block, catch passes, move across the formation, and contribute on special teams gives the coaching staff several reasons to keep him active on game days.
Steelers May Have More Than A Blocker In Riley Nowakowski
Nowakowski still has to prove himself against NFL defenders, and training camp production should always be viewed carefully. However, his confidence is not coming from nowhere. Catching 32 passes during his final college season showed that he can be more than an extra body clearing lanes for the running backs.
The exciting part for Steeler Nation is that Nowakowski does not need to become a major receiving weapon to outperform expectations. If he can make a handful of important catches, create hesitation before running plays, and give McCarthy another way to disguise the offense, the rookie will bring considerably more value than his fullback label suggests.
Rich Janzaruk / Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Steelers' Riley Nowakowski goes through drills during his Pro Day in the 2026 offseason.
Pittsburgh drafted Nowakowski because his toughness and versatility fit the identity McCarthy wants to establish. The Steelers may now be discovering that his hands deserve attention as well. If the rookie continues proving that throughout the preseason, experts who viewed him strictly as a blocker may have gotten him completely wrong.
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