📄: Fifth Round: Yahya Black | 📸: Black in pictures | 📺: Pick Announcement | 📃: How Black fits with the Steelers | 📃: What to like about Black | 📺: Dunbar on Black | 📺: Welcome to Pittsburgh
After making a trade back in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, moving from pick 156 to 164 and picking up an additional seventh-round pick from the Chiefs, the Steelers selected defensive tackle Yahya Black of Iowa.
At just a shade under 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, Black is an impressive-looking athlete to add to the defensive line room.
The Steelers view Black as a player capable of playing defensive end in their 3-4 defense – along with first-round pick Derrick Harmon – and lessening the load on All-Pro Cam Heyward.
The Steelers allowed 3.6 yards per rushing attempt with Heyward on the field in 2024, but 5.1 yards per attempt when he was not.
Take a look at photos of Pittsburgh Steelers fifth-round pick Yahya Black
Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) celebrates after blocking a field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) rushes against Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Iowa's Yahya Black during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth)
Michigan State running back Nathan Carter (5) is tackled by Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) celebrates after a safety during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Troy running back Damien Taylor (3) is tackled by Iowa defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett (49) and defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 38-21. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) is sacked by Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Black, 23, finished his career at Iowa with 117 career tackles, including 14 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. He also had three forced fumbles and 10 pass defenses.
Black arrived at Iowa as a 250-pound defensive lineman and continued to build on his size and strength. He carries his 336 pounds well and has extraordinary strength. Black started the past 27 games at Iowa, averaging 44 defensive snaps per game.
The Steelers envision playing more of a defensive rotation up front to lessen the load on Heyward, who played 70 percent of their defensive snaps in 2024 at 35 years old.
He'll figure into the mix in what is now an extremely deep defensive line group that includes Heyward, Harmon, nose tackle Keenu Benton, Black's former Iowa teammate Logan Lee, a sixth-round pick last season, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry and free agent signings Daniel Ekuale and Esezi Otomewo.
The Steelers typically keep six to seven defensive linemen on their roster, making their newly reconfigured defensive line room one of the most competitive on the roster.
With his length and long arms (35 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine), Black also was utilized by Iowa on field goal and PAT blocking units.
