# Riley Nowakowski

NFL player. Position: **Fullback / Tight End**. Team: **PIT**. College: **Indiana** (2025 National Champion).

## Quick Facts

- **Position:** Fullback / H-Back
- **College:** University of Indiana (2025 national champion)
- **Awards:** Second-Team All-Big Ten (2025)
- **Draft projection:** Day 2-3 (scheme-specific, fullback run)
- **NFL Comp:** Connor Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers, scheme-specific H-back)

## 2026 Outlook

Nowakowski is a 5th-round 2026 draft pick (2026 class) who joins the Pittsburgh Steelers as a fullback/tight end hybrid. The Steelers Depot scouting report indicates he'll likely make the 53-man roster as a rookie, but with extremely limited offensive snaps. His rookie season could closely resemble 2025 Connor Heyward's (also a Steelers TE): approximately 90 offensive snaps with heavy emphasis on special teams work. Nowakowski will work with both the fullback and tight end groups during training camp and preseason, but his actual snap distribution will favor inline tight end / h-back roles over traditional fullback work. College stats show elite receiving ability (32 catches, 387 yards, 2 TDs in 2025 for national champion Indiana), but NFL offensive limitations are severe: with TE Pat Freiermuth and TE Darnell Washington both healthy, Nowakowski is unlikely to exceed 10 targets in 2026. Fantasy-relevant only as a deep PPR league dart throw given the elite receiving skills; his fullback designation limits snap distribution compared to pure tight ends. (per 90 In 30: Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview Series — Doug Nester, Lew Nichols, Riley Nowakowski)

## College Performance

- **Receiving:** 32 catches, 387 yards, 2 TDs (2025)
- **Routes:** Solid route-runner, good hands
- **Blocking:** Capable, but not elite like true lead blockers
- **Leadership:** Part of 2025 national championship team

## Role / Depth Chart

Projected as an H-back / pass-catching fullback; better fit in receiving-heavy schemes than traditional lead-blocking roles.

## Injury Status

None reported.

## Open Questions

- Can his college receiving production translate to the NFL with limited target share as a fullback?
- Will he thrive in Vikings' potential system change with new OC and Kyler Murray?

## Sources

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Source: https://chatffb.com/players/riley-nowakowski · ChatFFB — fantasy football answers updated from a live news wiki.