Unexpected Rookie Dominates Reps, Forces Mike Tomlin to Rethink Steelers Rotation

Every year, there’s at least one rookie who doesn’t get the headlines on draft night — but shows up when it matters. For the Steelers, that guy may already be making his case loud and clear on the practice field.

During early days of training camp, one defensive lineman has caught the attention of both fans and coaches not because of flashy sacks or viral moments, but due to a work ethic that just doesn’t quit.

Mike Tomlin himself made it clear: big men on this roster don’t just get by on size alone. “We’ve got to have big men that are willing to hustle and run,” he said in a recent SiriusXM interview. “It’s not just about the grocery shopping. Now it’s time to cook.”

That quote wasn’t random. It was aimed directly at a rookie who doesn’t quite fit the mold of the “modern” defensive end. On paper, his frame — 6’5”, 336 pounds — might suggest he’d struggle to move laterally, drop into coverage, or disrupt short-yardage screens. In practice? He’s doing all that, and more.

That rookie is Yahya Black, a fifth-round pick who is steadily flipping the narrative.

Observers from camp, including beat writers like Alex Kozora, have noted how Black is constantly chasing the football, batting down passes, and showing a nose for the ball that belies his limited experience. This isn’t just about motor — it’s instinct, and it’s translating into plays.

Black’s journey adds another layer of intrigue. He arrived at college weighing just 250 pounds, and once played basketball at a high enough level to throw down dunks on fast breaks. That athletic background is showing itself now in camp, where his movement and bend surprise almost everyone seeing him for the first time.

He’s not guaranteed a roster spot just yet. But in a defensive line room crowded with experience and upside, Black is beginning to look like a serious candidate for rotational reps come Sundays.

The Steelers have made it a point this offseason to get more physical, more mobile, and more aggressive in the trenches. This rookie might be the unexpected answer to all three.