The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski at No. 169 in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking the team’s sixth offensive addition of the round. However, Nowakowski isn’t projected to be a traditional tight end; running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr. described him as primarily a fullback with versatility and the ability to navigate the backfield, bringing grit and will to the position.
This selection fills a need in a tight end room with limited experience, currently headlined by Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, with 2025 undrafted rookie JJ Galbreath also in the mix. Nowakowski’s skill set suggests he may fill the void left by Connor Heyward, who played multiple roles, including fullback and tight end, this offseason.
Key takeaways:
– Nowakowski is viewed by the Steelers as a versatile fullback-type player, not a traditional tight end.
– The pick complements the team’s current tight end room and depth chart.
– The Steelers are aiming to replicate the multi-position impact left by Connor Heyward with Nowakowski’s hybrid role.
