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Steelers Draft Jonnu Smith Clone?
26 Apr
Summary
- Steelers selected Riley Nowakowski in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Nowakowski's versatility mirrors Jonnu Smith's role.
- He joins Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth on the roster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed their tight end depth by selecting Riley Nowakowski with the 170th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This move comes shortly after the team released Jonnu Smith during the offseason. Nowakowski, a national champion at Indiana, possesses a versatile skillset that closely resembles the role Smith occupied for the Steelers.
During his time at Indiana, Nowakowski demonstrated an ability to contribute in various ways to secure victories, even without a high volume of receptions. His effectiveness after the catch and overall game performance align with the expectations for a player filling the "Jonnu role." The Steelers organization will now focus on integrating Nowakowski and assessing his transition to the professional level.
With this draft selection, the Steelers add Nowakowski to a tight end group that already features talents like Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth, further bolstering their offensive options.
