Who Should I Start? Riley Nowakowski or Kaytron Allen

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
1.2 0.0 0.0 0.6 5.3 0.0

Riley Nowakowski News

Steelers Select Riley Nowakowski at No. 169 Overall

Saturday, April 25, 11:23 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Indiana tight end prospect Riley Nowakowski with the 169th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Nowakowski caught 32 passes for 387 yards and two receiving touchdowns in the Hoosiers' national championship-winning offense last year. He also got involved as a fullback, scoring two rushing touchdowns. We could see him take on a similar hybrid fullback/tight end role in Pittsburgh, serving as the team's replacement for Connor Heyward, who signed with the Raiders this offseason. Assuming that's the case, Nowakowski doesn't have a clear path to fantasy relevance. He can be avoided in most fantasy football drafts.

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
2.0 10.6 0.1 0.3 2.0 0.0

Kaytron Allen News

Kaytron Allen a Late-Round Dart Throw from an Unsettled Running Back Room

Sunday, July 19, 5:13 AM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Kaytron Allen is the all-time leading rusher for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and when the Commanders gather for training camp at the end of the month, he'll have the opportunity to carve out a role in a room led by Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White. Croskey-Merritt's 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns led the team in 2025, while White signed a one-year deal through free agency after four up-and-down seasons with the Buccaneers. A lack of standout features allowed Allen to slip to the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but his proven production and a landing spot on what could ultimately still prove to be a wide-open depth chart made him an intriguing late-round flier in dynasty rookie drafts and give him a similar appeal in redraft leagues. If Allen can find meaningful work around the goal line, he'll have the opportunity to return value from his current ranking as RotoBaller's RB55.

Riley Nowakowski vs. Kaytron Allen

Still trying to decide between Nowakowski and Allen? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Riley Nowakowski is projected to score 1.2 points this week while Kaytron Allen is projected to score 2.0 points.