After trading back in the fifth round, with the 169th pick the Pittsburgh Steelers
selected Riley Nowakowski out of Indiana
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL are wrapping up the 2026 NFL Draft
on Saturday. On Day three, the Steelers held multiple picks across Rounds four through seven and made their second selection of the day
at No. 169 overall after trading back with the Kansas City Chiefs
. They selected Riley Nowakowski out of Indiana.
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Nowakowski is coming off a national championship run with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025. The program produced several selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Nowakowski played a key role in that title run.
Nowakowski began his career as a walk-on at Wisconsin, where he took on multiple roles, including fullback, linebacker, and special teams contributor. He did not transition to tight end until 2023, when he recorded seven receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown. In 2024, he started a career-high nine games and finished with 11 receptions for 74 yards.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a redshirt season in his freshman year, Nowakowski received a sixth year of eligibility. He transferred to Indiana, where he emerged as a standout tight end. He set career highs with 32 receptions for 387 yards and four touchdowns from scrimmage. His 2025 performance earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Before college, Nowakowski played at Marquette University High School as a linebacker and running back. He earned all-state honors in Wisconsin and also competed in track and basketball. He now begins his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a tight end.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Now
: Get to Know Steelers Fifth-Round Pick Riley Nowakowski
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