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Steelers coach believes second-year DL could become best in NFL
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- Steelers coach believes second-year DL could become best in NFL
One of the newest members of the Pittsburgh Steelers ' coaching staff has high hopes for a second-year defensive lineman in 2026.
At OTAs, Steelers defensive line coach Domata Peko didn't mince words when discussing what the future holds for 2025 fifth-rounder Yahya Black — claiming he could eventually emerge as one of the best nose tackles in the NFL.
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"I feel like Black can be one of the best [nose tackles] in the game if he just keeps on doing what he's been doing, and that's working his butt off," Peko said via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Really good on his technique and his details. I just want to sharpen him up and get him really going and try to bring out the best in him."
Selected by the Steelers with the 164th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Black was thrust into a big role early, appearing in 17 games and making three starts due to injuries on the defensive line. He recorded 28 combined tackles, a quarterback hit, and two forced fumbles in his rookie year.
While it's easy to get caught up in the early-offseason hype, if Peko, who played in the NFL at a high level for 15 years with nearly 200 starts, believes Black is destined for big things, it's difficult not to take notice.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Yahya Black earns massive praise from DL coach Domata Peko
