Yahya Black Showing Steady Growth in Rookie Season

Photo: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers rookie defensive tackle Yahya Black has made noticeable strides as the season has progressed, turning early‑season challenges into late‑season momentum. After a period of adjustment in the first half of the year, Black has begun to establish himself as a reliable contributor along Pittsburgh’s defensive front.

Since Week 12, the coaching staff has steadily increased his workload, a clear indication of growing trust in his consistency and assignment discipline. Black has responded well to the expanded role, showing improved technique, better leverage, and a stronger grasp of the defensive scheme.

His progress was most evident in the Steelers’ Week 16 victory over the Detroit Lions. In that matchup, Black earned an 82.6 defensive grade on 22 snaps, the highest mark on the team’s defense that week. While the sample size was modest, the performance highlighted his ability to impact the game with efficient run defense and timely interior disruption.

Black’s development reflects the traits Pittsburgh values in its young defensive linemen: steady improvement, physical toughness, and the ability to translate coaching into on‑field execution. It also speaks to the tutelage of long‑time defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, who has been equally instrumental in the early progress of fellow rookie Derrick Harmon.

Though still early in his career, his recent stretch suggests he is beginning to settle into the role envisioned for him.

If he continues on this trajectory, Black has the potential to become a dependable rotational piece — and possibly more — within a defensive line group that thrives on depth and versatility.