PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers traded back in the fifth round to add a sixth-round pick, which they didn’t have. With the 169th overall pick the Steelers added a tight end from the national champions.
Riley Nowakowski spent his first five seasons at Wisconsin before transferring to Indiana where he started every game and finished with 32 receptions, 387 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Although the Steelers view the 6’2”, 250-pound Nowakowski as a fullback.
“The role of the fullback is to be versatile,” said Steelers running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung. “To be able to help the team in multiple ways. This is a four-core special teams player that is going to be able to have team value because of what he brings to the entire team.”
Nowakowski started his career as a walk-on linebacker at Wisconsin and Chinyoung says he sees the physicality in him because of starting on the defensive side of the ball.
“I’m a physical, relentless, blue-collar gritty guy,” Nowakowski said. “I like to show up to work and get things done. I’m not big on flare, I’m going to give everything I got every day.”
“The young man plays with grit and at the end of the day it’s all about will,” said Steelers running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung. “You got to be willing to go hunt. He’s done a lot of great things on tape. He’s growing as a backfield blocker. I can’t wait to work with him.”
“It was special, a very emotional moment,” Nowakowski said. “All the people that supported me over the years, was able to celebrate with them and to hear my name called was special.”
The details of the trade, Steelers sent the 161st and 249nd over picks to the Chiefs for 169th and 210th.
Steelers recent fifth round picks
- DL Yahya Black (Iowa)-2025
- DL Isaiahh Loudermilk (Wisconsin)-2021
- TE Zach Gentry (Michigan)-2019
- S Marcus Allen (Penn State)-2018
- RB Jaylen Samuels (NC State)-2018
Riley Nowakowski from Indiana talks his game, Steelers talk his role
Riley Nowakowski from Indiana talks his game, Steelers talk his role
