In terms of rookie contributions, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't get much from their 2025 draft class in their Week 1 win over the New York Jets. First-round pick Derrick Harmon was sidelined with an MCL injury—and with no second-round selection this year, only a few rookies saw the field. Meanwhile, third-round running back Kaleb Johnson saw just one carry on offense.
But a lesser known rookie is already poised for a bigger role entering Week 2.
On Thursday, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin spoke to the media, where he said that he expects Yahya Black to take on a bigger role this week against the Seahawks, per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. Black, a 2025 fifth-round pick out of Iowa, logged 24 snaps on the defensive line in his NFL debut against the Jets.
Black's performance wasn't perfect. He was credited with two missed tackles, and he let quarterback Justin Fields slip past him twice. Meanwhile, the big defensive lineman had an opportunity to stop several running plays that went just past his reach.
Still, the confidence Austin is showing in the rookie is a great sign of things to come.
Rookie DL Yahya Black will embrace bigger role with the Pittsburgh Steelers
If I had told you after April's draft that the Steelers' fifth-round pick would play 24 snaps in his Week 1 NFL debut, you wouldn't have believed me. Now, not only are we talking about seeing Black on the defensive line rotation, but we're talking about him in potentially a starting-level role.
Against the Jets, Black saw fewer defensive snaps than Isaiahh Loudermilk (31), but he already doubled the snap count of veteran defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale (12). Meanwhile, Loudermilk was easily moved off the ball in Week 1, which contributed to his 39.3 overall PFF grade. His role on defense could decrease with Black expected to get more snaps.
READ MORE:Jets give Steelers rookie Yahya Black his welcome to the NFL moment
Black's big opportunity is made possible by Harmon's unfortunate MCL injury. Harmon won't suit up against the Seattle Seahawks, so Black will get another chance to prove why he should play a major role along the defensive line.
At 6'6'' and roughly 340 pounds with 35-inch arms, Black has unmatched size as a defensive tackle, and Austin noted that he can play just about anywhere along the interior defensive line. For now, the plan is to play him mostly in the '4i' position (over the offensive tackle), but that could eventually change.
Black isn't an elite athlete, but he has remarkable anchoring strength and size that you can't teach. With his first NFL performance in the books, you can bet he will be itching to prove himself in this potential breakout role in Week 2 against the Seahawks.
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