Steelers have shocking rookie expected to lead the team in playing time

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially wrapped up their offseason program for 2026, and the next time the entire team will be together will be in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for training camp. The large rookie class impressed throughout both minicamp and Organized Team Activities (OTAs), but the coaching staff will really get a good look at the group once the young guys take the field for training camp. A few rookies are expected to be locked into position battles as they will be fighting for a starting job or a rotational role, while others are expected to be contributing immediately.

One underrated rookie that is expected to be on the field right away is Riley Nowakowski. He was drafted by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he is coming off winning a national championship with the Indiana Hoosiers. He played five seasons at Wisconsin, where he was teammates with both Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig, but he spent his final year at Indiana, where he truly made a name for himself. He played tight end in college, but he is expected to be a fullback and H-back in Pittsburgh. Beat writer Gerry Dulac hosted a mailbag on Wednesday, and he was asked if he expects the fullback position to be a focal point of Mike McCarthy's offense in 2026.

"Yes I do," Dulac wrote. "MM is a big FB guy. That's why they drafted Nowakowski in the fifth round. He has a chance to play as much as any rookie."

Dulac states that McCarthy has always had some appreciation for the fullback position, and that was clear during his time coaching the Green Bay Packers back when he had John Kuhn on the roster. The Packers used the fullback more than most teams during that time, and that could be the case with Nowakowski during his rookie year and into the foreseeable future.

Pittsburgh had Connor Heyward serving in this role in recent years, but he went and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders during free agency. He played a ton of tight end, fullback, and H-back for the Steelers during his four years with the team, and he even played quarterback on Pittsburgh's version of the "tush push". That probably won't be the case for Nowakowski, but he will at least be playing fullback and some H-back.

The rookie played a lot at tight end in college as he hauled in 32 passes for 387 yards and two scores during his lone season at Indiana. He has experience being a receiving threat, which is what is so intriguing about him being a fullback. He can block efficiently in the run game, but he will also be able to release out of the backfield, where the quarterback can find him in the flat or around the sticks. He has caught balls downfield as well, so he can motion out into the slot and even run some routes downfield.

Steelers don't have many rookies who will challenge Riley Nowakowski

Barring something unforeseen happening, there aren't many players in Pittsburgh's rookie class that might be able to battle Nowakowski for the lead for playing time. If Gennings Dunker or Max Iheanachor are able to take their respective starting jobs on the offensive line, they will be at the top of the list. However, it seems like the coaching staff is content with those guys staying on the sideline to begin the year. 

The two candidates who could truly challenge Nowakowski might be wide receiver Germie Bernard or cornerback Daylen Everette. Bernard will be fighting for the third wide receiver spot, and it will typically be either Nowakowski or Bernard on the field on offense, depending on whether or not the group is in 11 or 21 personnel. Everette will probably play some special teams, and he will be in contention to be the top backup on the outside.