The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2025 NFL draft with a major need along the defensive line, and the team has since added two players to that area.
First, the Steelers drafted Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon in Round 1, and then Pittsburgh doubled-up at the position by adding Iowa defensive tackle Yahya Black in Round 5.
The Steelers saw plenty of struggles against the run in the second half of last season, and like Harmon, Black should help with that. The Iowa product is able to consume blocks and make things difficult for offensive linemen and running backs upfront.
Black doesn't offer much as a pass-rusher, but he'll be a solid rotational defender on early downs. Here's how experts viewed the selection of Black in the fifth round.
Yahya Black NFL draft grades
Ostly: "The Steelers continue to build out the trenches on defense with their second defensive tackle pick of the draft. Black offers a great skillset against the run with a 6-foot-5, 330-pound frame with an 84-inch wingspan. His mix of length and strength makes block shedding easy and gives him tools to develop as a pass rusher."
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: C+
Sobleski: "With the additions of Derrick Harmon in the first round and Iowa’s Yahya Black in the fifth, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be significantly bigger and stronger along their defensive line. Keeanu Benton is a talented, young nose tackle. He’s not a traditional Steelers nose, though. Black can be, because he has the power and length to eat up space, stack blockers and shed violently."
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: B-
Trapasso: "Enormous NT who can block out the sun. Length galore. Thick but has some movement skill and plays with high energy for a 330-plus pounder. Good luck moving him on run plays. Won't happen. High pad level limits what should be immense power. Pass-rush plans are non-existent. Didn't view this as major need. But this is when NTs should be picked.
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