The Pittsburgh Steelers head into training camp with a revamped defensive back group that will now feature the likes of three-time All-Pro Jalen Ramsey, 12-year veteran Darius Slay, and former Cleveland Brown Juan Thornhill. Most notably, it’ll be without Minkah Fitzpatrick for the first time in five seasons.
The Steelers’ invested in some veteran leadership to shore up the defensive backfield, and while it remains to be seen if that decision and the wealth of other changes across the roster will lead to the team’s first playoff victory in eight seasons, one thing is for certain: The young players in the defensive backfield will have some guidance on the field.
Still, while Ramsey dominates headlines, the bottom of the depth chart among the defensive backs features one name that has stuck out since the trade brought the former Super Bowl champion to Pittsburgh, undrafted rookie Sebastian Castro.
Pittsburgh Steelers may have something brewing in undrafted DB Sebastian Castro
Castro’s name started buzzing after the trade as a name to watch, not only to make the roster, but also potentially compete for Fitzpatrick’s somewhat vacant role. Of course, Castro isn’t really in that discussion since he’s a box safety, not a center-fielder like Fitzpatrick.
Nonetheless, the Iowa standout is worth the buzz. He notched 163 tackles, 14 for a loss, including two sacks, broke up 14 passes with four interceptions, and forced five fumbles in 53 games for the Hawkeyes. He’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, but that’s why fans in Pittsburgh see a little Troy Polamalu in his game.
He roams the intermediate level of the defense and seemed to always be around the ball in Iowa City. It might be some time before he cracks the defensive lineup in Pittsburgh; after all, DeShone Elliott has the strong safety position locked down. Still, Castro is a strong candidate to make the roster as a special teams body. Whether or not Miles Killebrew’s status as the team’s special teams ace plays a factor in his potential to contribute there remains to be seen, but surely special teams coordinator Danny Smith will find a place for Castro to help out.
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Regardless, Castro should see plenty of time on defense this preseason with the Steelers needing to preserve Elliott and Killebrew for the regular season. That will be his opportunity to make his claim for a spot on the final 53-man roster. If he can showcase that same ball-hawking ability he did at Iowa, Pittsburgh will have a hard time feeling comfortable with Castro sitting on the practice squad instead of the main roster.