Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive lineman Yahya Black had a significant performance in Thursday night’s 19-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. The No. 164 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft registered five tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus assigned Black an overall grade of 91.9, with a 90.4 pass rush grade and a win rate of 20 percent.
NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger analyzed Black’s play in a film breakdown, highlighting his usage in a position associated with Hall of Famer Joe Greene. Baldinger said, “Here is on a cocked nose. I didn’t know anybody even taught the cocked nose anymore. Look at him hold the point, strong at the point. And then one he gets to the ball carrier, they always go backwards. The cocked nose is coming back. Joe Greene is smiling like that’s how you play football in Pittsburgh.” He continued to review Black’s efforts: “How about back-to-back sacks for Black. Coming right here. Here is in a seven technique. Back-to-back sacks for Black. Yahya Black, he is everywhere.”
The “cocked nose” position was made notable by Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Greene during his tenure with the Steelers in the 1970s.
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin commented on Black’s development over time: “We like Yahya’s progress (…) As you guys know, he is not a little man. When he really learns how to use all the tools at his disposal, he’s going to be a load inside.”
Black’s path included building up from arriving at Iowa at just 250 pounds and developing into his current size of six-foot-six and 336 pounds through strength training and perseverance.
Reflecting on his breakout game against Carolina and looking ahead to the regular season, Black stated, “Just growing and getting better (…) Come in every day and try to work on your skillset.”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Charlotte.
