Steelers Coaches Believe They Quietly Landed The Greatest Steal Of The Entire 2025 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers believe they had a very successful 2025 NFL Draft. While it’s always difficult to evaluate a draft class before anyone plays a regular-season snap, early reactions have been encouraging. Several NFL analysts have graded the Steelers’ draft as above average, praising how the team addressed key needs and added depth on both sides of the ball.

Pittsburgh focused early on the defensive line, selecting Derrick Harmon in the first round to anchor the interior. In the fifth round, the Steelers continued to build in the trenches by drafting nose tackle Yahya Black out of Iowa. Though not a household name heading into the draft, Black stood out for his size, strength, and upside, making him a player worth watching throughout training camp and the preseason.

A report from Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo on Thursday will give fans even more reason to be optimistic. Fittipaldo revealed that several Steelers coaches believe Black might have been the greatest steal in the entire 2025 NFL Draft. That level of confidence coming from inside the organization is significant, especially for a fifth-round pick, and suggests the team sees major potential in Black’s future.

"Steelers coaches are beginning to think nose tackle Yayha Black is one of the biggest steals of the entire NFL Draft," according to Fittipaldo per Fillipponi. "Black was a fifth-round pick."

The extreme praise from the Steelers coaching staff has certainly caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. While it’s not uncommon for teams to express optimism about their draft picks, describing Black as the greatest steal of the 2025 NFL Draft is a bold statement, especially for a player selected in the fifth round. It suggests that the Steelers believe Black has the tools to make a far greater impact than his draft position would indicate, and that he’s already turning heads inside the facility.

Black, who played college football for the Hawkeyes, wasn’t considered a top-tier prospect during the pre-draft process. He didn’t receive a great deal of national media attention and wasn’t projected to go in the early rounds. However, teams that looked closely at his film saw a player with a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism. 

At 6'5" and over 300 pounds, Black is a massive presence in the middle of the defensive line, and his ability to occupy blockers and disrupt the run game made him a valuable asset for the Hawkeyes. His raw physical tools, combined with his willingness to do the dirty work in the trenches, are exactly what the Steelers look for in a nose tackle.

The Steelers have long valued late-round defensive linemen who bring toughness and potential. In fact, their history of developing late-round and undrafted defensive players into key contributors is one of the organization’s hallmarks. Black appears to fit that mold perfectly. If he can pick up the Steelers’ system quickly and continue to show growth throughout training camp and the preseason, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn rotational snaps as a rookie.

Steelers' Defensive Line Might Have 2 Rookies Earning Key Playing Time

Pittsburgh’s defensive front already includes veteran leaders like Cam Heyward and rising young talent like Keeanu Benton, but there’s room for someone like Black to carve out a role. The Steelers have made it clear they want to be more physical in 2025, and bolstering the defensive line is central to that plan. 

If Black proves to be as disruptive as coaches believe he can be, he might not just make the roster but turn into a special player down the road. Harmon is going to start as a rookie and Black could carve himself some key minutes within the defensive rotation.

Only time will tell how successful this draft class will truly be, but early signs are promising. And if Black lives up to the belief the Steelers have in him, Pittsburgh may have pulled off one of the best value picks of the entire draft. At least for now it's exciting for Steeler Nation to hear from the coaching staff about how Black has impressed them.

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