NFL Draft: Steelers trade back with Chiefs, select standout Indiana TE/FB

The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded back in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft , selecting their replacement for TE/FB Connor Heyward in the process.

The Steelers traded their No. 161 pick (fifth round) and No. 249 pick (seventh round) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for the No. 169 pick (fifth round) and No. 210 pick (sixth round). With the 169th overall pick, the Steelers selected 6-foot-2 Indiana TE/FB Riley Nowakowski.

Nowakowski, who played for Wisconsin from 2023-2024 and Indiana in 2025, has caught 50 passes for 518 yards and three touchdowns in his collegiate career, while being considered an elite blocker as a fullback/tight end hybrid.

While the Steelers' 2026 draft class has been polarizing up until now, there are definitely some potential steals in their first seven selections, including Nowakowski.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers select Riley Nowakowski in fifth round of 2026 NFL Draft