No mock draft I saw had David DeCastro, offensive guard from Stanford, available for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the 24th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. But, as always, the draft unfolded differently than all the experts predicted. As the Steelers pick got closer, I was getting excited that they might be able to choose him. In DeCastro, the Steelers got both a highly rated player and filled a gaping need.
Shutdown Corner rated DeCastro as the #10 player available in the draft. As the Steelers have done often, they chose the top player at his position, even though they were drafting in the second half of the first round. He was the first guard taken. He is intense, focused, technically proficient, and NFL-ready. That sounds like a man I want to see in black and gold on Sundays. While this is not a glamor pick, Ben Roethlisberger, Isaac Redman, and Steelers fans should be very happy with this selection.
The Steelers have selected solid players in the first round at almost every position over the last few years. Look at this list of stars:
2011 Cam Heyward - DT
2010 Maurkice Pouncey - C
2009 Evander Hood - DE
2008 Rashard Mendenhall - RB
2007 Lawrence Timmons - LB
2006 Santonio Holmes - WR
2005 Heath Miller - TE
2004 Ben Roethlisberger - QB
2003 Troy Polamalu - S
They may have another Pro Bowl star here. Welcome to Pittsburgh, Mr. DeCastro.
The Steelers have nine choices remaining to add more talent to the roster, especially some young defenders. If they don't join the league's trade-a-palooza, they have:
Round 2, pick 24 (56 overall)
Round 3, pick 23 (86 overall)
Round 4, pick 24 (119 overall)
Round 5, pick 24 (159 overall)
Round 6, pick 23 (193 overall)
Round 7, picks 24, 33, 39, 41 (231, 240, 246, 248 overall)
Here we go Steelers, here we go!
Sean Durity is a Terrible Towel twirling Steelers fan living in Atlanta. He grew up cheering the 1970s dynasty and appreciates the organization's excellence even more as an adult. Follow him on Twitter @SeanDurity
More from this contributor:
Steelers Don't Need Free Agent Splash: A Fan's Relaxed Opinion
SOURCES
Steelers profile and draft picks, nfl.com
Doug Farrar, "The Shutdown 50 - #10: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford"
You are born a steelers fan not made one by win. Your a fan when they are winning and when they are loosing.Just got tickets to attend their game in 8/9. Some of us just happen to end up living here , it's not our fault.
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