Player: DL Yahya Black
Stock Value: Up
Reasoning: Rookie DL Yahya Black is already earning praise, and less so for his size than for his relentless motor. Already fitting the bill for a Steelers defensive lineman, he doesn’t stop until the play is over. Chasing a screen to the sideline, he isn’t afraid to make his 336-pound frame move. If the Steelers really intend for him to play up and down the line, that attribute will certainly be necessary.
The rookies are looking pretty good so far during training camp, and that includes Yahya Black, the Steelers’ fifth-round draft pick. He is already drawing attention from all sources, from HC Mike Tomlin to guest broadcasters in Latrobe. When Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller talked about watching him chase down screens, both Tomlin and GM Omar Khan, in separate interviews, lit up about him.
Described as “big as shit” by fellow large human Breiden Fehoko, Yahya Black checks in at 6-5, 336 pounds. Even at that size, he can move around—relatively speaking. I don’t think he’ll be hitting a lot of spin moves, though he might have a better shot at it than Daniel McCullers.
Although he might not be a stone-cold roster lock, Black is clearly trending in the right direction. The Steelers still have him working a lot outside, but with the amount they play in the nickel, it hardly matters anyway. The most important thing, in reality, is that he is showing he can play in the nickel.
Ultimately, I believe his future in “base” is going to be at nose tackle, for however many snaps that amounts to. I’m sure they intend to use him there in certain situations, namely short-yardage and goal-line work. For the time being, though, he is just doing whatever the coaches ask and going until the whistle stops.
That’s a good place to start for any rookie, and Yahya Black is already drawing attention. He is showing an anchor against the run, and even in one-on-one pass-rushing reps, a move or two. I have a feeling Black will sell a jersey or two in Pittsburgh.
With training camp underway and the Steelers exploring their new roster, it’s once again time to “take stock”. It took a while, but we finally saw some of that change the team talked about after the season ended. Certainly, the move to trade for WR DK Metcalf qualifies as a change, not to mention the accompanying contract. Oh, and they also traded some guy named George Pickens, which people found significant.
As we speak, we are in the process of learning what this Steelers team is going to look like. The dust is settled on both free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft, and now we’re in camp. What other moves might the team make, perhaps unexpected acquisitions or departures? They’ve certainly made a flurry of moves, though some question whether they make much difference. This is a Steelers team starving for postseason success, but how desperate are they for a playoff win in 2025?
