Yahya Black exceeded expectations as a rookie last season. As a fifth round selection on a crowded defensive line, there was no guarantee that Black would make the roster. But his strong play and physical attributes have many believing that he was just scratching the surface as a rookie.<\/p>\n
Count former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch as one who believes the future is bright for Black.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust based on last year, I\u2019m high on Yahya Black because I felt like he should have won defensive rookie of the year,\u201d Batch said on his Snap Count podcast<\/a>. \u201cHe was on the field more than [Derrick] Harmon and I\u2019m not taking anything away from Harmon, it was just the fact that he was injured a lot last year and I think Black stepped in and played.\u201d<\/p>\n Including special teams snaps, Black did outsnap Harmon 559 to 535 in their rookie seasons. Harmon was, however, limited to just 12 games with two separate injuries but played well when he was in the lineup.<\/p>\n \u201cYahya Black, that\u2019s going to create a lot of fuel for him to now go out there and take a job,\u201d Batch continued. \u201cThis man is large. He is a large human being. He takes up a lot of space. And that\u2019s what you want on the field because you want him to be able to take up two gaps and that helps in the run game.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the storylines of the offseason has been Black\u2019s move to nose tackle after logging a lot of snaps at defensive end last season. New defensive line coach Domata Peko is very high<\/a> on Black\u2019s ability to play nose tackle so the question becomes whether Black is able to challenge Keeanu Benton for snaps as the starting nose tackle. With Benton, Harmon and Cam Heyward the presumed starters on the defensive line, Black and newcomer Sebastian Joseph-Day will battle for rotational spots along the line. But if Batch\u2019s analysis is to be believed, Benton\u2019s starting spot could be in danger.<\/p>\n