Steelers' Yahya Black Gets Impressive Comparison From Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected defensive tackle Yahya Black with the 164th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Black attended the University of Iowa and will bring extra muscle to the Steelers' defensive lineup. While Black is a later-round pick, those unfamiliar with the player may not think much of him. Black is an impressive 6'5" and 336 pounds. If utilized correctly, Black promises to threaten offenses and develop greatly as a player with mentors like Cam Heyward.
The Steelers went into the draft with a commitment to improving their defense, and the team has delivered thus far. On Saturday, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said in a press conference that he was confident Black's size and stature would be an asset to Pittsburgh.
"He's a big chassis," said Tomlin. "There's F-150s; he's an F-350."
Size and strength are key for a lineman, and Black checks both boxes. Despite the promising career ahead of Black, it's unclear where he will land on the Steelers' depth chart to start the season. It's common for the Steelers to move new players around for a bit during offseason training to see how to best utilize the rookie heading into the regular season.
At first glance of the stat sheet, Black may look underwhelming. Black registered five-and-a-half sacks and 14 tackles for a loss in 54 career games. The most impressive part of that stat line may be the number of games played, which is high for a college player. What Black lacks in flashy plays, he makes up for in experience. If Black doesn't end up becoming a player with a flashy highlight reel, the most he may contribute to the team is the ability to give his teammates the opportunity to make big plays by clogging up space in the trenches.
What can the Steelers expect to get out of Black? The team listed lots of reasons to love the defensive lineman. They highlighted Black's versatility on the line, his ability to play multiple defensive positions, his Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognitions from 2023 and 2024, and his ability to occupy blockers for his teammates to make plays.
NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic rated Black as the number 25 prospect at defensive tackle and had good things to say about the rookie.
"A stout run defender, Black has outstanding size and uses his big-man balance to occupy space or hold the point," said Brugler. "With his length and the strength in his hands, he can snatch/toss blockers. Overall, Black looks every bit the part of a 'do your job' defender who clogs run lanes and does the dirty work. He offers the scheme versatility to become a role player in any system."
Burgler's assessment of Black's abilities should give confidence to anyone who was previously unfamiliar with the player or who was simply unsure of his abilities.
Steelers' Run Defense Was The Team's Biggest Struggle Going Into This Year's Draft
The holes in the Steelers' defensive line and the team's inability to properly stop the run were the center of the team's problems last season. During the offseason, the team's struggles caught most of the media's attention. It was speculated that the Steelers' defensive woes would take a backseat to the team's need for a starting quarterback.
During the 2025 draft, the Steelers made it clear where the team's priorities lie. They drafted Derrick Harmon 21st overall, bolstering their trenches, then added Black for additional muscle. The Steelers are likely on the hunt for an eventual replacement for the aging Heyward. There is a risk associated with every draft pick, and it's unclear what both Harmon and Black's ceilings are as far as skill. However, the Steelers are exciting about their potential.
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