Welcome to the Steelers, Yahya Black

That’s all I need

 

We obviously liked this kid a lot. Spent a good amount of time with him in the pre-draft process. Not shocked to see him a Steeler today. With a Harmon and Black, the DL gets a lot younger (and likely won't need anymore premium capital spent on it anytime soon). Can't help but like how it turned out for us

 

Very much appreciated man! Truly, means a lot.

 

As for Yahya Black, say hello to one of the best run stuffing IDLs in the entire class... with the potential to be even better as a Run Stuffer. That is correct and you read that correctly. Better than Walter Nolen, better than T.J. Sanders, better than Mason Graham and arguably better than Derrick Harmon even (yep, I just said that). Now, in terms of pass rushing upside?! It is there but I wouldn't count on him being a 7-10 Sack Artist in his career. A more appropriate estimate would be 3 to 5; 6 being the maximum.


What he lacks in pass rush upside though, he more than makes up for in the ability to stuff the run. Yahya is a double team machine; even some of the best IOLs in College Football being little to no match for him when he is at his best. Those long 35 inch arms allow him to stave off a lot of IOLs who attempt to initiate first strikes against him. In addition, he is also skilled at batting passes and blocking kicks. Tyler Linderbaum gave Yahya fits as a Freshman but Black improved greatly. 2024 was his best year and I truly believe that is best years are ahead of him.


Now, there is a lot to work on for him; namely his contact balance and hand placement being his two biggest shortcomings. Thankfully, both can be solved with coaching; Karl Dunbar still being one of the best of the best in all the NFL. Give Black two to three years to become a rock solid NT. For now though?!


Say hello to the space eating monster Pittsburgh hasn't had in a long, long time. Yahya may only be good at one thing but other than Tyleik Williams, Kenneth Grant, CJ West and Alfred Collins, no other IDL is as much of an immovable object quite like him.

 

two years in a row with Iowa D-linemen. they have always had a good defense.

 

It's hard not to like this after seeing the defense get cut right up the middle.

 

Kirk Ferentz W. Pa. native knows a little about defense.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Does this finally mean the end to all the dead wood on the defensive line?

 

Leal best be gone. A 232,072 dead cap. Wasted 3rd round pick.

Louder2%milk might be as well 167,500 dead cap.

 

Ferentz was an Upper St Clair Panther.

 

Someone to draft for next year Hayden Large.

 

Hayden Large looks Small

 

You had a WTF Look.


My TV almost grew wings.

 

We dont know about Logan Lee just yet. I do hope he can kick Leal to the curb. Gonna be one helluva Preseason Battle that is for sure.

 

A couple things I have watched since we drafted him as well as re-reading his scouting reports. Your thoughts on these points if you care to.

He can and should be able to hold his own vs one on one in the NFL , but will need to work on consistently maintaining good pad level. He tends to play too high and NFL OL will eat that up.

He has shown the strength to take on double teams and still have the ability to move laterally to plug gaps. But, when the OL gets him turned sideways he's finished and typically ends up on the ground. Again maybe due to playing too high and top heavy?

Has the strength, length, bulk, and size to be a plug the middle type DT for the NFL, but not athletic enough to run down ball carriers outside his gaps at the NFL level.

Mostly what I'm reading on him, and then looking for and seeing on tape, is he's projected to be a backup level DL and ST player at best in the NFL.

This is not meant to be a complaint or bashing the pick. Just projection of what the expectation should be.

 

I love this pick. I have been wanting a big DT for the middle of the defense for a while. This will benefit the ILB’s as well. Keep the Oline off them and allow them to flow freely to the ball. I just hope we actually utilize this guy and not sit him on the bench. Great draft over all. We even got the slot cb which we have badly needed.