Yahya Black exceeded expectations as a rookie last season. As a fifth round selection on a crowded defensive line, there was no guarantee that Black would make the roster. But his strong play and physical attributes have many believing that he was just scratching the surface as a rookie.
Count former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch as one who believes the future is bright for Black.
“Just based on last year, I’m high on Yahya Black because I felt like he should have won defensive rookie of the year,” Batch said on his Snap Count podcast. “He was on the field more than [Derrick] Harmon and I’m not taking anything away from Harmon, it was just the fact that he was injured a lot last year and I think Black stepped in and played.”
Including special teams snaps, Black did outsnap Harmon 559 to 535 in their rookie seasons. Harmon was, however, limited to just 12 games with two separate injuries but played well when he was in the lineup.
“Yahya Black, that’s going to create a lot of fuel for him to now go out there and take a job,” Batch continued. “This man is large. He is a large human being. He takes up a lot of space. And that’s what you want on the field because you want him to be able to take up two gaps and that helps in the run game.”
One of the storylines of the offseason has been Black’s move to nose tackle after logging a lot of snaps at defensive end last season. New defensive line coach Domata Peko is very high on Black’s ability to play nose tackle so the question becomes whether Black is able to challenge Keeanu Benton for snaps as the starting nose tackle. With Benton, Harmon and Cam Heyward the presumed starters on the defensive line, Black and newcomer Sebastian Joseph-Day will battle for rotational spots along the line. But if Batch’s analysis is to be believed, Benton’s starting spot could be in danger.
Playing at nose tackle wouldn’t be brand new for Black, as he filled in last season after Daniel Ekuale was lost for the season with an ACL injury. For a Pittsburgh defense that has much room for improvement against the run, Black could be a real asset if he continues on the trajectory that he showed as a rookie.
The possibility of Black usurping Benton on the depth chart is one important factor to consider when discussing the possibility of an extension for Benton. While Benton may ultimately end up playing more than just nose tackle this season, the Steelers may be inclined to wait and see what kind of role he has this season before committing to a long-term contract.
Having more than enough capable defensive linemen is a good problem to have for the Steelers. If Black continues to play at the level he demonstrated as a rookie, Pittsburgh will no longer be able to keep him off the field. The ripple effect could have implications for the rest of the defensive line.
Recommended for you