5. David DeCastro
DeCastro was a first-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Steelers, and he more than lived up to the hype. According to Pro Football Reference, the Stanford product made six Pro Bowls during his nine-year Steelers career and was named a First-team All-Pro twice.
DeCastro’s athleticism allowed him to be one of the best pulling guards in the NFL, and that pulling ability allowed him to get out in front and pave clear running lanes for Steelers rushers. It was that pulling ability, that was a huge reason for Le’Veon Bell’s high levels of success while in Pittsburgh because his patient running style flourished when running behind an All-Pro guard.
DeCastro was also strong in pass protection, and was a member of one of the NFL’s best offensive lines for a 3-4 year stretch, as he was joined by the likes of Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster, Alejandro Villanueva, and Marcus Gilbert, and for several years was the strongest part of that unit.
While injuries began to catch up with him towards the end, during DeCastro’s peak he was one of the elite guards in the NFL, and his legacy will live on in Pittsburgh, as he goes down as the fifth-best offensive lineman and second-best offensive guard in Steelers history.