The Pittsburgh Steelers roster is a strange balance between some of the oldest players at their positions and extremely young players. They have the second-oldest roster in the NFL, and will need their young players to step up and fill important positions. Luckily, their younger players have a lot of excitement around them, and Yahya Black might be the hidden gem for this team. While most analysts are fired up about Kaleb Johnson and the offensive line, Black can help provide interior disruption and is a force multiplier, considering he was a day three pick.
Yahya Black is the Hidden Gem on the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Roster
Who is Yahya Black?
Black is a rookie nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers from Marshall, Minnesota. He was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, basketball, and track and field), but at 6’6″, 336 pounds, his future was football. Black was a two-year starter, a two-year rotating contributor, and even got some run as a true freshman at Iowa. He has experience all across the defensive line, everywhere from a tilted nose guard to a 5-technique defensive end.
His scouting report highlights a lot of the things the Steelers need from a rotational interior defensive lineman. He’s strong at the point of attack. Long arms to keep blockers away. While tracking the run, he can extend, shed, and pursue well for a player of his size. Notably, he doesn’t bring a lot rushing the passer yet. But he has the tools to become a better pass rusher as his career progresses.
Why is Yahya Black Important?
The Steelers defensive line is entering the season banged up. Derrick Harmon had to be carted out during a preseason game. Keanu Benton is dealing with an upper-body injury and is still hopeful for Week 1. Multiple other depth pieces are on IR, so the defensive line rotation will be shallow. Black is going to be thrust into a more important role than many expected after the draft, and he has all the physical tools to contribute. If he can leapfrog Daniel Ekuale, a 31-year-old journeyman, Steelers fans could see Black all season long.
How Yahya Black Can Contribute
If the preseason was any indication, Black can flat-out play. He anchors extremely well at the point of attack and showcased more pass rush penetration than was on his tape at Iowa in one preseason game. The Steelers struggled against the run in 2024 by their own standards and allowed over 100 yards per game.
.@steelers @Yblack74 @HawkeyeFootball i hope you enjoy your “6 pack of Iron City Beer ” this morning to honor Yahya. 6 plays of dominance and bringing back the “Cocked Nose T”. #herewego #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/XqzLwdggSl
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 22, 2025
In the short term, he can fill multiple gaps while Harmon and Benton are recovering from injury. In the long term, he can be another tool in Teryl Austin’s toolbox when it gets cold and the AFC North goes back to smash mouth football. Fans aren’t normally excited about backup interior defensive linemen, but Steelers fans are different. Yahya Black can be the hidden gem that makes this defense a force to be reckoned with, and helps the Steelers win their first playoff game in years.
Main Photo Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
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