What is Riley Nowakowski's Speed Score?

Riley Nowakowski's Speed Score ranks in the 74th percentile among NFL prospects at the position.

What round was Riley Nowakowski drafted in?

Riley Nowakowski was selected in Round 5, Pick 157 by the PIT.

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Riley Nowakowski

TE · #86

PIT · TE · Age 24

Dynasty value

Hold Stable

Tier

T16

Pos rank

TE86

Consensus

Strong

What’s driving the valueRange 3–4

Case for

Age / window

age 24 TE

Major

Situation

Multiple tailwinds

Notable

Case against

Pedigree / rank

TE86 · Tier 16

Minor

Neutral: Production trend

Analysis

Nowakowski opened his rookie season as Pittsburgh's clear FB1, a role that survived a preseason ankle injury and has held stable through Week 1 of the depth chart. A shaky offensive-line outlook could nudge the staff toward more multi-tight-end packages that lean on his blocking-receiving combination, which is the key swing factor for any breakout. Absent an injury to one of the two tight ends ahead of him, expect a blocking-heavy role with occasional receiving series and touchdown-dependent value. This profile is a deep-dynasty stash rather than a rosterable asset in shallower formats — hold for the injury-contingent upside, and revisit as a buy only if expanded receiving usage shows up over the next month; not a sell given his valuation already reflects bench-piece expectations.

Scenarios (3)

Rotational FB/H-back with situational receiving worklikely▼ -5%

Expanded role via injury to a tight end ahead of himpossible▲ +25%

Emerges as a full receiving/in-line weaponunlikely▲ +40%

Intel may be outdated · updated 6 days ago

Current statusPIT

Prospect Profile2026 Class

17.6Composite Score

Composite Breakdown

Each row compares Riley Nowakowski to other 2026 prospects in that signal — except Class × Draft Slot, which shows the editorial multiplier applied to Riley Nowakowski's 2026-class + draft-slot combo (baseline 1.00× = neutral).

Computed from 3 of 6 signals

Draft Capital25%~averageRound 5, Pick 157
Combine Athletic17%~average
Rookie ADP17%
Expert Consensus17%
College Production15%
Class × Draft Slot9%+5% (1.05×)+5% (1.05×)0.60

Class rank: 22nd percentile

40-Yd74%

Vertical52%

Broad70%

Speed74%

Burst64%

HaSS63%

SPARQ-x72%

BMI88%

Catch Rad.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Riley Nowakowski's Speed Score?: Riley Nowakowski's Speed Score ranks in the 74th percentile among NFL prospects at the position.

Risk & Opportunity Analysis (5 flags)

Risk Flags

Target Volume
Pat Freiermuth holds the passing-down tight end role and Darnell Washington handles early-down snaps, leaving Nowakowski's realistic receiving opportunities as overflow work behind an established two-tight-end committee.
Offensive Context
Nowakowski's primary job projects as a lead-blocking fullback in a run-oriented scheme, a role that historically produces touchdown-or-bust fantasy value with little sustainable target share.
Injury Concerns
Nowakowski sustained an ankle injury in the 2026 preseason finale against Buffalo; he was cleared in time for the season opener, but it's worth monitoring given how new his role is.

Opportunity Flags

Scheme Fit
Coaching staff has praised his ability to line up at fullback, in-line tight end, and even the slot, and a shaky offensive-line outlook could push Pittsburgh toward more multi-tight-end packages that lean on that flexibility.
Depth Chart Stability
He has held the FB1 role since Week 1 with no rookie pushing him for it, removing the near-term roster-bubble risk that shadowed his draft evaluation.

Format Comparison