There’s only so much to be learned from OTAs. Much of the spring is about installing the basics and core philosophies before evaluating players on a deeper level. That’ll come in training camp and the preseason.
But even this time of year, there are little nuggets to glean from. One clip in a recent team YouTube video caught my attention. Rookie fullback Riley Nowakowski will be doing more than just blocking out of the backfield.
In a recent video that recapped Pittsburgh’s first week of voluntary minicamp, one clip showed Nowakowski going through early practice installs. Split out and standing up slot right, he ran about a 10-yard dig and snagged a pass over the middle.
In context, this is an early practice warmup/install period. Nowakowski isn’t facing a defense, as made clear in the clip by the white jersey, cap wearing “defenders” to separate the two sides of the ball. You can see the actual defensive players in gold jerseys on the other side of the field.
The point isn’t about the outcome. It’s about the process. And Nowakowski’s receiving ability will be utilized.
This rep reminded me of one of Nowakowski’s biggest plays last season. He made a key reception in Indiana’s comeback against Penn State. Just like the video above, he’s aligned in the right slot and runs down the seam, bending his route back inside behind the linebacker and in front of the safety.
A clutch, 29-yard pickup before Omar Cooper Jr.’s game-winning score.
Nowakowski won’t be a focal part of the offense. In the Steelers’ clip, he’s running with the second/third string. You can see Max Iheanachor at right tackle with Mason Rudolph delivering this pass.
On paper, Nowakowski’s a fullback. He’ll see backfield work. But he caught 50 passes a year ago and is a capable receiver similar to Connor Heyward. Pittsburgh will lean on that skillset, and Nowakowski should have an active passing game role in the summer. That fits into Mike McCarthy’s vision of the West Coast offense where the fullback plays an active pass catching role.
The question will be if he can show enough to be considered the team’s third tight end, or if the team will keep an additional No. 3 behind Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth to maximize depth and personnel flexibility.