Many have called for the Steelers to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, and Thursday night they did so with the picking of David DeCastro, a guard from Stanford, in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
“We had identified some players we would trade up to get, and DeCastro was one of them,” Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said of the pick.
DeCastro has been a terrific lineman at Stamford the past three years and is a dominant run blocker who also handles the opposition in pass protection.
He has a lot of upside and should break into a starting lineup early into his NFL career and stay there for years to come. Explosive off the snap, quickly gets into blocks and easily turns defenders from the line.
DeCastro is a solid run blocker who opens up big lanes for the ballcarrier and works hard until the whistle blows.
He is regarded as the best guard in the draft, and the Steelers are lucky that he fell to the 24th pick, and he should be an immediate upgrade on the Steelers O-line.
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George H
April 26, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Fantastic pick… shocked on how the draft has unraveled thus far. Couldnt be happier with the selection. Hello to the next Faneca
DrGeorge
April 27, 2012 at 9:20 am
Consistent with our pre-draft comments, George H., the Steelers had an opportunity to take Hightower at #24 and had the wisdom to take DeCastro instead, who can pass block well and pull well for running plays. Let’s hope Colbert and Co. do as well today for the D.
Note: The signing of Leftwich yesterday suggests they won’t be drafting a backup QB, as some pundits suggested before the draft. Better yet, with better pass protection and an improved running game, Ben may remain healthy for an entire season for a change.
Peter
April 26, 2012 at 10:52 pm
I agree. great pick. will start week one.
Mike
April 26, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Incredible value at the 24th pick. Set it and forget it type of starter for the next ten years. How can you not like the pick. Huge upgrade and instant starter. Now, they cannot miss out on getting younger on a defense with so many projected starters thirty years old and up. I really like Jerel Worthy of Michigan State in the second round even if we have to trade up to get him and even Mike Martin from Michigan later in the draft. CB Trumaine Johnson from Montana is said to be an interesting pick that is attractive. Never saw him play but I hear very good things about him.
The Tony
April 26, 2012 at 11:42 pm
Definitely a most welcomed surprise to have David DeCastro as the newest member of the Black and Gold. With this new addition, I firmly believe that the play of Pouncey is going to vastly increase now that he is not going to be attacked from all angles. For the second round, I agree with Mike, I would love to see the Steelers make a move with the remaining 9 picks and take Worthy, or solidify our Offensive Line and draft the Tackles Mike Adams from the Ohio State, Johnathon Martin from Stanford, or Bobby Massie from Ole Miss. Fortunately this is a very deep draft, and I am sure the Kevin Colbert and Co. are going to make the best choice possible.
Ed Nestor
April 27, 2012 at 12:01 am
Great pick. This adds years on Big Bens career. Running game should improve and pass protection. Go Steelers
George H
April 27, 2012 at 9:40 am
Were very fortunate that this draft is very deep in virtually all of our holes. You all have nailed it on the head: in the second round with multiple picks in the draft, we could trade up and try to get one of the top tackles or DTs that fell from the first round to the second round.
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Dave B.
April 27, 2012 at 7:35 pm
This is why the Steelers are year in an year out , one of the premiere teams in football .They could have easily went nose tackle or inside linebacker , both of which were needed but instead they realize they must protect their 102 million dollar investment , in Ben Roethlisberger . David DeCastro , if he stays healthy will easily be as good as Alan Faneca . With him and Pouncey in the middle of that line , we should be able to keep Ben UPRIGHT heading into the playoffs . A great pick , that will pay dividends for years to come .