From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Indiana TE Riley Nowakowski.
No. 37 RILEY NOWAKOWSKI/TE INDIANA – 6-2, 250 POUNDS (RS SENIOR)
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Riley Nowakowski 6-2/250 8 3/4″ 31 1/2″ 77 1/4″
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.66 1.70 DNP DNP
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
9’11″ 33.5″ DNP
THE GOOD
– Smart football player in general who understands how to get open when his quarterback is scrambling
– Good understanding of zone coverage, consistently finds soft spots when running crossers
– Useable in screens and as a checkdown in the flat
– Has enough athleticism and speed to eat yards after the catch
– Excellent as a lead blocker, correctly locates his blocks and positions himself well
– Solid technique as a blocker, knows how to latch onto blocks and shield defenders off
– Plays with a ton of effort on every play
– Can make an impact on special teams
– Alignment versatile, can do many different things on an offense
– Plays with physicality, puts up his best fight against bigger edge rushers
– Can trust him in pass protection
– Reliable hands
THE BAD
– Route running needs to be sharper
– Lack of overall strength, ability to extend against big/long edge rushers
– Struggles to maintain balance against longer defenders
– Needs to be stronger at point of attack to drive defenders backwards
– Lack of top-end speed
– Tendency to drift towards his spot before making breaks in routes, can give his routes away
– Struggles to reset his hands when blocking once defenders disengage
STATS
– Career: 50 receptions, 518 receiving yards, 10.4 Y/R, three receiving TDs, two carries, two rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
– 2022 (Wisconsin): Appeared in 13 games on offense and special teams, didn’t record any offensive stats
– 2023 (Wisconsin): seven receptions, 57 yards, 8.1 Y/R, one receiving TD
– 2024 (Wisconsin): 11 receptions, 74 yards, 6.7 Y/R
– 2025 (Indiana): 32 receptions, 387 yards, 12.1 Y/R, two receiving TDs, two carries, two rushing yards, two rushing TDs
– Six career tackles on special teams
– 55 career games, 39 at Wisconsin and 16 at Indiana
INJURY HISTORY
– 2023: Suffered a foot injury in camp before 2023 season, missed first four games
– 2024: Missed Week 3 game against Alabama with undisclosed injury
BACKGROUND
– DOB: June 30, 2002 (23 years old)
– Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
– Graduated from Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, WI
– Was a zero-star recruit out of high school
– Committed to Wisconsin as a linebacker ahead of 2020 season, switched to fullback and then tight end and remained there through 2024
– Entered transfer portal after 2024 season and went to Indiana
– Earned bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Wisconsin
– Also participated in basketball and track in high school, was part of MUHS record-setting 4x400m relay team
– Enjoyed taking on a leadership role during his five years at Wisconsin
– Coaches recommended him to play fullback after watching him on the scout team, and that helped him transition into a tight end
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Overall, Riley Nowakowski is a smart football player. That includes a knowledge of how to get open, especially when his quarterback is scrambling.
This is something Indiana had Nowakowski do often. Lining up on the wing just off the line of scrimmage, chipping an EDGE rusher, and then hitting the flat. He got plenty of reps doing that, but he does well once plays break down here. Watch him turn up field, then cut back toward the sideline once his defender starts to follow him. Nowakowski then makes a nice catch on the sideline.
Against zone coverage, Nowakowski’s football IQ really comes into play. He’s excellent at finding soft spots in the zone, especially on crossing routes and sitting down to make himself available for his quarterback.
Nowakowski is on the wing again here on the left side of the line. He’s running a simple crosser, and just as he passes the outside cornerback coming across the field, the middle linebacker fails to follow him. When Nowakowski realizes this, he quickly turns around and gives Mendoza an easy target for a good gain.
Nowakowski brings some athleticism to the position as well, especially after the catch. He is elusive enough to punish defenses after the catch.
This is another simple chip block from Nowakowski on the left side of the line before hitting the flat. But what’s really impressive is his effort after the catch. He makes a nice move to make a defender miss right after the catch, then has the speed to eat yards in the open field, resulting in a big gain here.
As a route runner, there is some potential for Nowakowski. But I’d like to see him run his routes a little cleaner, in general.
Nowakowski is at the top of the screen just running a quick five-yard out. He manages to get open and makes a nice catch down the sideline. But his route isn’t very sharp, and his break is more rounded than anything. If he doesn’t have leverage with the defender being picked inside by the other receiver, he probably doesn’t get open here.
Primarily a blocking presence in college, Nowakowski is really good as a lead blocker. He reads things well, especially when he’s heading to the second level. While he’s not the strongest player, Nowakowski has solid technique and understands how to seal defenders off to open up a hole.
You’re going to see Nowakowski here come off the right side of the frame and take out Oregon’s No. 28. He correctly locates his block, adjusts when the defender tries to evade him and seals him off to help break this long run.
While the technique is there, Nowakowski just doesn’t have a ton of strength for the position, which sometimes helps him against stronger edge rushers.
This isn’t that bad of a rep from Nowakowski, but it does show his lack of overall strength. The defender is easily able to extend into Nowakowski and pushes him onto his back foot. Nowakowski ends up unable to hold his block.
CONCLUSION
Nowakowski is another Day 3 player who’s getting used to a new position. Going to Wisconsin as a linebacker, Nowakowski moved to fullback, then tight end. There are still some things he’s working on, and he needs to be more refined in his routes. He also doesn’t have the same height or length as most tight end prospects, something he’ll have to work past at the NFL level.
However, there is plenty to like. He plays with toughness and tenacity while showing sound technique as a blocker. He can lead block and take out linebackers in the run game. He also holds his own in pass protection, as well. He has some work to do as a pass-catcher, but he should be a solid addition to any NFL team’s run game.
It’s a comparison I’ve seen a couple times this offseason, and I hate to be unoriginal, but Riley Nowakowski does remind me of Connor Heyward. Heyward also had prior experience in the backfield, had solid hands coming out of college, was useful in the screen game and had experience on special teams. Like Nowakowski, Heyward came out of college needing to improve his route running and had to be a little better at the point of attack.
NFL Projection: Mid-Day 3
Steelers Depot Draft Projection: 7.0 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 6.3-7.4
Games Watched: at Maryland (2025), at Michigan State (2025), vs Oregon (2025, playoffs)
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