{"id":96452,"date":"2025-08-26T05:59:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T05:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/96452\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T05:59:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T05:59:08","slug":"analyst-is-floored-by-yahya-blacks-impressive-first-nfl-preseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/96452\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyst Is ‘Floored’ By Yahya Black’s Impressive First NFL Preseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

During this year\u2019s draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers made an effort to beef up their defensive line. The two most notable additions were Derrick Harmon, selected in the first round, and Jack Sawyer, selected in the fourth round. Lesser known was Yahya Black, selected in the fifth round, but he\u2019s quietly made a push to be the most impressive of all three<\/a> during the preseason.<\/p>\n

On the Pushing The Pile<\/a> podcast on Monday, Mike Renner had some praise for Black.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was floored by his tape,\u201d Renner said. \u201cBecause at Iowa, never saw this. Never even saw the violence he was playing with on a consistent basis here this preseason. Feels like very much a Steelers sort of defensive tackle. Massive, long arms, and just wants to kick the ass of the guy in front of him. Very impressed with him this preseason.\u201d<\/p>\n

A big part of the reason the Steelers decided on Black in the fifth round is his ability as a run stopper. He\u2019s got an absolutely massive frame and backs it up with plenty of strength. At Iowa, he was impossible to move, even with double teams. Pittsburgh hoped he\u2019d add much-needed depth to the interior of a defensive line that really struggled to stop the run at the end of the 2024 season.<\/p>\n

Black is showing he can do that this preseason. However, he\u2019s also been better than expected when it comes to rushing the passer.<\/p>\n

The clip above is a good example. It\u2019s a simple push-pull move, and Yahya Black certainly has the strength to do it. However, when he was drafted, there were some concerns about his mobility. He\u2019s not facing the Panthers\u2019 starters here, but his mobility is much more impressive than many expected. That combo of speed and strength can be dangerous, and Black is certainly moving better than many thought he would.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s very early, but so far, Black is outplaying his fifth-round moniker<\/a>. He\u2019ll have a chance to continue doing so as the regular season begins. Derrick Harmon injured his knee during Thursday\u2019s preseason game against the Panthers. The injury isn\u2019t major, but he is out for a couple of weeks and will likely miss the season opener against the Jets.<\/p>\n

That should give Yahya Black a bigger spot in the rotation. Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton will start on the inside, but Black certainly should play when they need a break without Harmon. It will be interesting to see if Black can translate his preseason success into the regular season, but he\u2019s been more than good enough so far.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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