PITTSBURGH —The Pittsburgh Steelers could have a new starting nose tackle this season. During his media availability on Wednesday, Steelers defensive line coach Domata Peko waxed poetic about Yayha Black 's potential at the position.
"(Yahya) Black can be one of the best noses in the game if he just keeps on doing what he's been doing, and us working his butt off," Peko said. "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."
The Steelers selected Black in the fifth round (No. 164 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft and there weren't high expectations for him after they drafted defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round.
However, Black was able to carve out a role for himself in the defense, thanks to Harmon being sidelined with an injury.
The 6-foot-6, 336-pound defensive tackle finished the year with 28 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass defended.
Keeanu Benton is better suited for the three-tech and five-tech position on the defensive line. His agent even said the Steelers had his client playing out of position in Mike Tomlin 's defense.
"Keeanu is a little different. Again, somebody that wants to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for life, but he's been starting since Day 1 in Pittsburgh," Joe DiBenedetto recently said on "The Fehoko Show" . "In Mike (Tomlin's) defense, you could make an argument that Keeanu's been playing a little out of place there at nose tackle, and maybe he should be a defensive tackle there. And that's something we've talked about with Pittsburgh. I think Keeanu, as well, could be one of the best D-tackles in the game."
Having a massive body like Black's in the middle of the defense could do wonders. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham wants to get back to playing a Steel Curtain-style of defense.
Alan Saunders and Brenden Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers DL Coach Raves About Yahya Black's Potential: 'Can Be One of the Best Noses in the Game'
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