The Pittsburgh Steelers are approaching one full week in Latrobe for training camp, and things are getting chippy. A fight broke out between Cole Holcomb and Ryan McCollum, and it’s obvious that everyone is ready for pads going on this Tuesday. With that being said, Day Four is in the books – here are the most noteworthy stories from Sunday’s practice.
DT Yahya Black Has First Big Day
The Iowa product was reportedly making an impact in the passing game. Per Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Black had two pass deflections that ended any potential completions during team drills. While the fifth-round pick is known predominantly for his coverage against the run, it’s good to see that he has a few things in his toolbox to defend the pass.
Yahya Black just swatted his second pass today. This time vs Rudolph #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) July 27, 2025
UDFA WR Roc Taylor Makes Multiple Big Catches
Per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive, Roc Taylor had by far his best day of camp. The undrafted free agent out of Memphis caught three passes on the day in team drills, all of which came on dig routes.
Roc Taylor with a THIRD reception off a dig route today. This is one from Will Howard.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 27, 2025
While Taylor feels like a long shot to make the roster, we’ve seen undrafted receivers go from likely cut to 53-man roster around the NFL before. That’s not to say he’ll become Rod Smith or Victor Cruz, but it is to say that he has officially thrown his name into the hat for one of the final roster spots.
CB Brandin Echols Makes Splash Play
Brandin Echols has flown under the radar due to the star power that surrounds him in the secondary, but he has had a very good start to camp and made the biggest play of his brief Steelers career thus far. During seven shots, Echols picked off Mason Rudolph in the end zone, preventing a potential touchdown to Darnell Washington.
Rudolph throws a fade in the direction of Darnell Washington but Brandin Echols picks it off. 3-2 defense.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 27, 2025
Echols earned praise from Mike Tomlin after practice.
“That’s a veteran guy who brings energy every day,” Tomlin said. “He has brought it every day.”
I’ve said it multiple times, but this is the deepest cornerback room the Steelers have had in a very long time. If Echols also turns out to be an impact player in his role, it will be hard to throw on Pittsburgh in 2025.
EDGE T.J. Watt And RT Troy Fautanu Bringing Out The Best In Each Other
There’s a lot of pressure on right tackle Troy Fautanu to live up to his first-round status and protect Aaron Rodgers. What better way to prepare him for that than having him go up against one of the greatest edge rushers in league history? T.J. Watt and Fautanu had some good battles on Sunday. Per Nick Farabaugh, Watt made a nice move to get around Fautanu for what would have been a sack in-game, but Fautanu stood Watt up in a rep later on.
T.J. Watt with a gorgeous spin move to beat Troy Fautanu. Would’ve been a sack.
Fautanu getting a great matchup all of camp there, next rep Watt tried to bull rush him and Fautanu stood him up.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 27, 2025
Iron sharpens iron, and these two going up against one another all summer will only make each of them better, especially Fautanu.
Full Seven Shots Results
- Aaron Rodgers to Jonnu Smith (TD)
- Aaron Rodgers incomplete to DK Metcalf
- Aaron Rodgers to Pat Freiermuth (TD)
- Mason Rudolph incomplete to Max Hurleman
- Mason Rudolph intercepted by Brandin Echols, intended for Darnell Washington
- Will Howard to Evan Hull (TD)
- Aaron Rodgers incomplete to Roman Wilson (Defense wins 4-3)
