The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent the last few years trying to rebuild the defensive foundation of the roster, and two young players could become important pieces of that plan if their development keeps moving forward. Jack Sawyer and Yahya Black are not being asked to become stars overnight, but both have a chance to make Pittsburgh’s defensive depth look much stronger in 2026.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) during a postseason matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.
The Steelers already have proven names on defense. TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon, and Keeanu Benton give the front seven plenty of names to watch. Still, the difference between a good defense and a deep defense often comes from the players who are not at the top of the depth chart.
Sawyer and Black fit into that category. Both are still developing. Both have specific roles to carve out. Both could give the Steelers something valuable if they take another step in training camp.
Nick Farabaugh recently joined Chris Carter on Locked On Steelers and pointed to Sawyer and Black as two defensive developmental players worth watching.
“Sawyer is a guy, you know, how much upside does Sawyer have? He has this incredible motor. He’s got a craftiness to him,” Farabaugh said.
That is exactly the kind of description that matters for a young edge rusher buried in a loaded room. Sawyer does not have to be the most explosive athlete on the roster to matter. He has to be dependable, technically sharp, and productive when the Steelers give him snaps. With Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig ahead of him, his path is not easy, but Pittsburgh has seen how quickly outside linebacker depth can become important.
Christian Kuntz Podcast
Steelers defensive lineman Yahya Black answering a question from long-snapper Christian Kuntz on his podcast.
The Steelers have dealt with enough injuries at edge rusher over the years to know that four capable options is not a luxury. It can become necessary quickly. Sawyer’s motor and finishing ability give him a chance to become the kind of rotational piece that keeps the defense from falling apart when the starters need rest or when injuries hit.
Farabaugh also mentioned Black, who could be looking at a more difficult adjustment.
“Stepping into nose tackle, I think it’s going to be a new challenge for him,” Farabaugh explained.
That challenge is important because Black’s role may be changing. Pittsburgh has liked his size, strength, and ability to hold up against the run, but playing nose tackle brings a different type of responsibility. It is not just about being big. It is about leverage, pad level, discipline, and surviving double teams without being moved off the spot.
For Black, that could be the difference between being another rotational defensive lineman and becoming a more trusted part of the front. The Steelers need players who can help control the interior, especially after the run defense became such a major issue in recent years. Black’s development could give Pittsburgh another option in the middle and allow the defensive line to stay fresher over the course of the season.
The Steelers have already seen Black emerge as an intriguing young defensive weapon, but this next step may be more demanding. It is one thing to flash in a rotational role. It is another to earn consistent snaps in the middle of a defense that needs reliable answers up front.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and head coach Mike McCarthy participate in Steelers 2026 rookie minicamp.
Sawyer and Black are different kinds of projects. Sawyer is trying to stand out in a crowded outside linebacker room where splash plays matter. Black is trying to prove he can handle a more physical interior role. The shared theme is opportunity. Neither player has to carry the defense, but both can make Pittsburgh more complete.
That matters for a team trying to balance veteran expectations with younger development. Heyward is still a major part of the defense, but the Steelers have to prepare for the future. Watt remains the defense’s best pass rusher, but the team has to keep building behind him. Good teams do not wait until they have a hole to develop replacements. They build depth before the need becomes urgent.
Sawyer can help with that on the edge. Black can help with that inside. If both players grow into trustworthy rotational pieces, Pittsburgh’s front seven becomes much harder to wear down.
Steelers Need Young Defensive Pieces To Keep Growing
The Steelers do not need Sawyer and Black to become finished products right away. They need progress. They need Sawyer to keep showing the effort and craft that Farabaugh mentioned. They need Black to handle the physical challenge of working inside and prove he can keep his pad level under control.
Training camp will make those questions more real. It is easier to talk about development during the offseason. It becomes harder when pads come on, roster spots tighten, and players have to show they can execute against NFL competition.
Sawyer’s job is to make Pittsburgh believe he can be more than emergency depth. Black’s job is to show he can be trusted in the middle of the defensive line. If they do that, the Steelers could have two young defenders quietly pushing the roster in the right direction.
For a defense built around pressure, physicality, and depth, that would be a very big deal.
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