Steelers A to Z: 5th-round pick Yahya Black brings size, versatility to defensive line
Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.
DT YAHYA BLACK
Experience/age: Rookie, 23 years old
Contract status: $934,959 cap hit, signed through 2028
The past: Black spent five years at Iowa where he developed his massive 6-foot-5, 330-pound frame, making him one of the biggest players on the Steelers roster. He was taken in the fifth round, the 164th prospect selected overall.
Black started his final 27 games for the Hawkeye. As a senior, he accumulated 34 tackles, including seven for a loss. He also had one sack, two pass breakups and a blocked field goal.
2025 outlook: Seeking an infusion of youth and physicality on the defensive line, the Steelers doubled down on the position in the draft. After selecting Oregon’s Derrick Harmon in the first round, they grabbed Black four rounds later.
While Harmon is expected to start immediately, the Steelers would like Black to grow into a rotational role along the line. He has the size of a traditional nose tackle but also the ability to play other spots on the line. The Steelers can use him to give starters Harmon, Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton rest during games.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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