The Pittsburgh Steelers know who their beginning defensive linemen are — however past that trio, depth stays one of many few query marks on an in any other case sturdy roster. Fortuitously, rookie fifth-round choose Yahya Black is already beginning to seem like a possible reply — and probably a steal.
Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo singled him out as a participant we might all be speaking about after the Steelers’ preseason opener on Saturday.
“Yahya Black. I’ve been writing about him, speaking about him for the final week now. Particularly since they’ve been in pads. I believe he’s one of the best defensive lineman behind the starters,” Fittipaldo mentioned Wednesday by way of 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Present. “He’s a run plugger. He’s gonna assist the working sport. He will get his fingers up within the passing sport. I don’t suppose he’s ever gonna be a man who will get loads of sacks or something like that, however he has been noticeable nearly each single day in follow.”
Black has taken benefit of Cam Heyward’s veteran days off all through camp. They’ve even put him in with the first-team protection in sure packages at occasions. Our Alex Kozora famous Black standing out in a minimum of two or three of his coaching camp diaries, together with yesterday’s.
The Iowa product is the most important DL within the room by a large margin, and he’s already studying to make use of that dimension to his benefit with a number of batted passes on the line of scrimmage. Black has additionally proven the power to carry up towards double groups, which is strictly what 3-4 DL are supposed to have the ability to do.
Mike Tomlin not too long ago praised Black’s hustle, and he not often provides out reward to rookies this early within the course of. At 336 kilos, it’s encouraging to listen to that Black’s motor is working scorching, particularly within the stifling warmth of Latrobe for the final two weeks.
If the Steelers are beginning to really feel like they hit a house run on first-round DT Derrick Harmon, they must be pleased with the beginnings of their general DL overhaul up to now. Fifth-round picks aren’t often locks to make the roster, however it’s trending that manner for Black.
