Steelers Stock Report: Team Trends as Preseason Concludes
Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers Weekly Stock Report, where we track the rise and fall of key trends across the team, position groups, standout players, and coaching decisions. Each week, we break down who’s gaining momentum, who’s slipping, and what it all means for the Steelers’ trajectory. This team has a lot of expectations in 2025, and the weekly trends across the group will determine just how far they go this season.
Let’s dive into this week’s Steelers Stock Report:
STOCK UP — YAHYA BLACK
The Steelers 5th Rd pick was a revelation in the Preseason as both a run defender and, surprisingly so, as a pass-rusher. The Rookie has shown positional versatility, impacting the ball from every spot along the D-Line, and appears to be an absolute steal for a team that now has injury concerns with their 1st Rd pick Derrick Harmon, and an unresolved contract situation with superstar Cam Heyward. While I don’t believe that will impact Heyward’s availability come Week 1, having an ascending talent like Black in the wings is at least comforting.
STOCK DOWN — WIDE RECEIVER LOVERS
If you wanted the Steelers to jump all over the Wide Receiver market as players were released, you’re probably not too excited about the lack of action out of the Steel City, as most of the worthwhile pass catchers were picked up by other squads. There’s still hope in the trade market and even in the Free Agent world (looking at you, Kendrick Bourne), but the Steelers have failed to prioritize the WR2 spot for another offseason, and it has many fans up in arms.
STOCK UP — AARON RODGERS CHANCES TO STAY HEALTHY
The 1st Team Offensive Line has looked superb in pass blocking assignments through all 3 weeks of the Preseason, and that has to make Rodgers feel good, especially considering the level of concern for the group to start Training Camp. A collective sigh of relief (for now) for a team relying on Rodgers to get them over the hump this season in their race for January wins.
STOCK DOWN — ROTATIONAL HEALTH UP FRONT ON DEFENSE
Part of the allure for the Steelers being a true contender this season had to do with their unparalleled depth on the defensive front, both at Edge Rusher and along the Interior DL. That depth is being tested early, with Derrick Harmon’s knee sprain holding him out for around a month and both Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig nursing soft tissue discomfort to start the year. The Steelers better hope these get resolved quickly so they can utilize that depth to its full potential.
STOCK UP — DEPTH BEYOND THE FINAL 53
Maybe it’s because I follow this team more closely, but the depth on the Practice Squad here in Pittsburgh might be the best in the league. Guys like CB Beanie Bishop, who started double digit games at the Nickel, and James Pierre, DeMarvin Leal, and Dylan Cook who made the 53-man roster in 2024 are all on the PS this to start this season. The secondary specifically is as deep as any in the league.
Tune in next week for an updated Stock Report, and be sure to stay plugged in to the Steel Curtain Network throughout the season!
For more from Jeremy Betz, click HERE.
I think Black is becoming a fan favorite, and for good reason. While he still needs some work, he’s a high-quality backup.
I started to like him even more after watching him on both Christian Kuntz’s and Cam Heyward’s podcasts. In the words of Coach and BAD, he’s a dude.
+1
Seems like he may not have been seen as much more than a true NT in the draft (thus less valuable in a pass heavy league). But throughout the pre-season, Black was lined up at DT and DE, and showed some surprising pocket disruption on passing plays. I’m really excited to see him refining his game and giving some of the starters a breather this season.
I remember that when he was drafted, Karl Dunbar said at the press conference that he was going to play up & down the line, and was not drafted as a NT. There were a lot of “HUH?” reactions in Steeler Nation at the time (especially from those of us who have spent the last decade pining for the return of Casey Hampton), but it looks like the Steeler scouts and coaching staff knew a lot more about this kid than all of us out here and also the rest of the NFL.
Good on them for that.
I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade, I’m really intrigued by Yahya Black but I’m trying to reserve excitement until I see him tossing aside Olinemen that are starting on NFL teams. The tools are there and I hope he continues to improve.
Hey, you know the rules…no reality checks before the season starts! 😉
Hey, I hope the guy busts through the line and folds Justin Fields into an origami swan Week 1. I’ll get excited if it happens.
That angle-alignment at the LOS and the fact that he plays without gloves has me optimistic that the hype is real.
Not gonna lie, if I would have looked out on the field at Latrobe and seen him lining up like that with Mr.Greene standing next to him giving him pointers, I would have lost it.