Overview
- Pittsburgh, which made the pick Saturday in the fifth round, added Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski to fill a versatile depth role on offense and special teams.
- Running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr. said the team views him as a fullback, a backfield blocker who leads runners through holes and handles short-yardage work.
- He is expected to compete for the Connor Heyward role that mixes tight end, fullback and special teams duty after Jonnu Smith’s offseason departure.
- Nowakowski joins a tight end room led by Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington with 2025 undrafted rookie JJ Galbreath also on the roster.
- He posted 32 catches for 387 yards and two touchdowns in 2025 for national champion Indiana, and early evaluations highlight his blocking and scheme fit over receiving upside.