Riley Nowakowski
Receiving Stats (WR / TE)
| Year | Team | Games | Rec | Targets | Rec Yds | TDs | YAC | 1st Downs | Fumbles | Fantasy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | PIT | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Summary
Riley Nowakowski is a Pittsburgh Steelers fullback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
A versatile college player at Wisconsin and Indiana, he entered the NFL as Pittsburgh's fifth-round selection, taken 169th overall.
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High School
Nowakowski starred at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee.
He earned first-team all-state honors as a senior and won the John Anderson Award as Wisconsin's top senior linebacker after recording 126 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. He also lettered in basketball and track and field.
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College Career
Nowakowski played multiple roles during a 56-game college career at Wisconsin and Indiana.
After beginning as a linebacker, he contributed on special teams and moved into an offensive role at Wisconsin, catching 18 passes across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In his final season at Indiana, he set career highs with 32 receptions for 387 yards and two receiving touchdowns while adding two one-yard rushing touchdowns.
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Path to the NFL
Pittsburgh selected Nowakowski in the fifth round of the 2026 draft.
The Steelers used the 169th overall pick on him and signed him to a four-year rookie contract in May 2026.
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NFL Career
Nowakowski made Pittsburgh's initial 53-man roster as its lone fullback in 2026.
The Steelers list him as number 37. He appeared in the team's season opener, beginning his rookie season with Pittsburgh.
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Career Accomplishments
Nowakowski combined athletic and academic recognition during college.
He was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree at Wisconsin and earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition from the media after his final college season at Indiana.
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Playing Style
Nowakowski brings versatility and a physical approach to the fullback position.
He described himself as a physical, relentless and blue-collar player. Steelers coaches highlighted his ability to align at fullback, inline tight end and H-back, catch from the backfield and develop as a blocker.
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32362, 00-0041398, 6/30/2002, Riley Nowakowski, Riley, Nowakowski
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 0.0
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.