The Pittsburgh Steelers went into the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear goal to get bigger and more physical on defense. After not being able to stop the run at the end of the 2025 season it was an area of focus, and Pittsburgh attacked it by drafting Derrick Harmon in the first round. In all, Pittsburgh drafted five defensive players and just two offensive players. The defense got considerably younger over the last weekend, which is hopefully a step in the right direction.
In addition to Harmon, Pittsburgh also drafted big defensive tackle Yahya Black out of Iowa. Black is a defensive tackle that can also play nose tackle, therefore he fits the mold of being a versatile defensive lineman, which Pittsburgh usually loves. The defensive line room got crowded after the draft, and the organization decided to make a coresponding move by releasing veteran Montravius Adams, which was reported by Adam Schefter.
Adams was a third-round pick back in 2017, and he has struggled to stick in one place prior to signing with the Steelers in 2021. He has also played with the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots. Adams was only under contract through the 2025 season, so the organization is going to have to eat some dead cap, but not enough to keep him on the roster.
Black can play nose tackle for Pittsburgh, which made Adams expendable. Pittsburgh typically only keeps seven defensive linemen on the final roster, and Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, and Yahya Black are all going to be locks to make the roster. The final three spots will come down to Dean Lowry, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee, Domenique Davis, Jacob Slade, and Isaiahh Loudermilk. With Adams out of that equation, it could make the final decision for the coaching staff a little easier.
The new rookie class isn't the only reason Adams was released. He has missed a good amount of games over the last two seasons due to injury, and Pittsburgh needs players that can stay on the field. The defensive tackles in Pittsburgh are constantly rotating in and out to keep everyone fresh, and every injury can stunt that process.
Steelers New Defensive Linemen Can Learn From The Best
There was a pressing need for Pittsburgh to add to the defensive line due to Heyward's age and the lack of depth behind him. Harmon and Black are great additions, and they will be mentored by one of the best defensive lineman in Pittsburgh's history. They will also be able to learn from Benton, who has had a pretty good start to his NFL career but has not taken the leap fans may have expected.
