He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by Baltimore in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft.

Yanda missed most of the 2017 season due to injury, but was elected to the Pro Bowl again in 2018 and 2019 before announcing his retirement in March 2020.

Yanda attended Anamosa High School in Iowa and was a letterman in football, basketball, and track & field.

He was selected as a third-team All-American by The NFL Draft Report in 2006 and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the league's coaches in recognition of his contributions on the field.

On July 11, 2007, the Baltimore Ravens signed Yanda to a three-year, $1.61 million contract that includes $502,698 guaranteed.

[10] On October 16, 2015, the Ravens signed Yanda to a four-year contract extension worth $32 million.

[18][19] On December 18, 2018, Yanda was named to his seventh Pro Bowl after missing out last year, due to his injury.