The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers run defense improved dramatically this season under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Last season they gave up 4.4 yards per carry and 2,181 yards, which ranked 28th in the league. This past season they gave up four yards per carry and 1,689 yards, which ranked seventh in the league.
If the Packers want to continue that upward trajectory, a player they could target in the 2025 NFL Draft is Yahya Black. The Iowa defensive tackle checks in at No. 79 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Black, a Marshall, Minnesota native, set a Marshall High School football program record for all-time sacks.
As a redshirt junior Black enjoyed a breakout campaign of sorts in 2023, when he recorded 51 tackles, five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. This past season, Black recorded seven tackles for loss and one sack.
“Black did the ugly stuff that doesn’t appear in a stat sheet but helps you win games,” Riley Donald, a writer for Hawkeyes Wire, said. “Jay Higgins isn’t an All-American linebacker without Black eating up blocks in front of him. He ate double teams and was selfless. He does a lot of the stuff fans won’t see but defenses know is there and wins games.”
Black is an intimidating figure, standing at 6-5 and weighing 337 pounds with long arms and an impressive wingspan. Black’s greatest strength is his ability to two-gap. The Iowa defensive tackle clogs up running lanes and eats up double teams to keep the linebackers clean. He maintains separation due to his length and has powerful hands. According to Pro Football Focus, Black recorded 58 run stops over the past two seasons.
“Black has natural size and long arms, which can make things hard for offensive linemen against him,” Donald said. “He understands gap integrity. He comes from a responsibility-driven defense under Phil Parker and that correlates great to the run game. He will fill his gap in the run game, which is often less glamorous than pass rushing, and not give up run lanes.”
Black rushes with power and occasionally flashed snatch and rip moves. With his brute strength, he can drive offensive linemen backward with his bull rush.
“He has raw, natural strength,” Donald said. “He is raw in this area as Iowa relied heavily on defensive ends to pass rush while he took on interior double teams. If he is to develop a pass rush, it could be a bull rush of pure strength against some shorter-armed guards or centers.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers could be looking to replace TJ Slaton this offseason. The former Florida Gator is set to hit free agency and given how talented the defensive tackle class is in the upcoming draft, Gutekunst could opt to go the younger, cheaper route.
Black is ready to step in and help bolster any team’s run defense. Given his size and strength, Black could be a Day 3 target for the Packers as they look to replace Slaton as an early down run stuffer.
“You are getting a guy willing to do the dirty work that doesn’t receive the accolades. If you are a general manager of a team with good linebackers, like the Detroit Lions or San Francisco 49ers, Black can plug in and allow linebackers to feast in the run game. He boosts a team’s run defense drastically.”
With his size, strength, and ability to clog up running lanes, and keep linebackers clean, Black could be a player that the Packers have high on their board to start Day 3 on April 26.
Having Black play in front of Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker on early downs could help take their games to another level, much like what Black did for Jay Higgins this past season.