David DeCastro's Player Profile

David DeCastro is a dominant run blocking guard. Besides Andrew Luck, he is the Stanford’s MVP if not the 2nd most valuable player in the pac 12 regardless of position. Most teams would just as well sit back and throw 50+ times per game with the robo QB under center, but Stanford’s bread and butter is running it behind Decastro leading to one of the best ground attacks in college football. Exceptional feet, intelligence and drive blocking technique as well as conditioning for a 300 pounder, and at 6 ft5 with a great lower half Decastro actually came into college as a center prospect and probably has the versatility to play anywhere on the line.

Weaknesses are that Castro is a bit of a tweener. He has been exceptional at all phases of the game, run blocking as well as pass blocking in college playing the guard position, but at 6ft 5 310lbs he looks more like a tackle. He doesn’t have the girth of the ideal guard and lacks the quickness and lacks ideal length and athleticism at tackle. At guard he may be exposed by bull rushes from elite DTs in the NFL. Another knock will be playing in the Pac 12 and not facing great competition week in and week out in the trenches, where we are accustomed to see more prospects in the SEC. DeCastro could probably be at least a serviceable OT but not 1st round level and guards usually don’t go in the 1st round.

I think DeCastro’s stock is on the rise, despite not playing a premium position for 1st round prospects. If you turn on the tape you will see that DeCastro dominates in run blocking, and does a good job on pass blocking as well, and almost never seems to make a mistake. He is coming from a system that translates well to the next level and his team has rarely loses when he is on the field. Add that to a Stanford guy with smarts on and off the field and has a passion to compete. DeCastro can have a Steve Hutchinson like impact in the NFL and I expect him to have one of the best careers of anyone picked in the 2012 draft.
Profile submitted by: Tom Patterson

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