Steelers Rookie "Could Be A Camp Standout" Thanks To The Success Of Former Teammates In His Unique Position

The Pittsburgh Steelers love players with plenty of versatility, especially when it gets somewhat late in the draft. They are always either looking for players that are more than capable of playing all over the field, or certain players that could benefit from a change of position. The latter has worked with veterans like Patrick Peterson, Eric Rowe, and undrafted safety-turned slot corner Beanie Bishop Jr. Pittsburgh may have recently found Bishop's replacement, as well as a replacement for at least one other position. 

Brian Batko was asked about undrafted safety Sebastian Castro in his mailbag on Thursday. The person brought the recent history of players that played in the same position as he did for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

"List of players who played CASH (hybrid safety/LB) at Iowa since they added the position to the defense in 2018: Amani Hooker (Titans) Dane Belton (Giants) Cooper DeJean (Eagles) Sebastian Castro (Emergence during 2022 season allowed Hawkeyes to move DeJean to CB)," Mike from Iowa in the mailbag wrote.

Batko loved the comparisons, even though Castro went undrafted. Either way, he could force himself onto the 53-man roster.

"Agreed on Sebastian Castro, the hard-hitting Iowa defensive back who could save the Steelers a roster spot (or two) if he can excel as a slot corner, strong safety and special-teamer," Batko wrote. "Castro doesn’t have the size and speed combination of those guys, plus he’ll be 25 in October, which surely hurt his draft stock and led to him being a rookie free agent. But he could be a camp standout."

Castro still has a long way to go before he becomes a key contributor for the Steelers, but there is still plenty of potential there. In the short time frame that the Hawkeyes have utilized this "CASH" role, it seems like every player who is in that position thrives at the NFL level. Cooper DeJean had a pick-six in Super Bowl LIX in his rookie year, which goes to show how high the ceiling really is for these box safety types. 

The biggest difference between Castro and the rest of these CASH players are that he went undrafted. DeJean was a second rounder, and that was still seen as an absolute steal. The other two were selected in the fourth round, as Batko also pointed out. Of course, being almost 25 years old will hurt a player's draft stock, but if he can still make an impact over the middle of the field, he can still have a quality NFL career.

Steelers' Potential Defensive Roles For Castro

For starters, Castro could be used as a box safety, which was his primary role at Iowa. If that would be the case, he would primarily be used in dime packages, likely as a guy that would stand on the first down marker and prevent opposing offenses from getting the big chunk plays over the middle to extend drives. He was a great tackler, so taking down the check-down short of the sticks won't be a problem for him.  

Castro could also get some reps in at slot corner. Even though the Steelers signed Brandin Echols to that role, it doesn't help to have some depth there, especially if that depth can play elsewhere. After a solid rookie season, Bishop could end up getting cut if the undrafted rookie does well enough in that spot, and maybe another role or two.

Lastly, Castro could back up a bit and be more of a traditional safety. The Steelers do need depth there, so he will get plenty of chances to be a ballhawk from deep in the secondary. He could easily push Juan Thornhill off the roster if he can show some ability to play off the ball. If the 24-year-old makes the 53-man roster, there is the possibility that multiple established players lose their job before Week 1.

What do you think about Castro and the position that he and his former teammates have all thrived in? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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