Sebastian Castro: The Steelers' Most Accomplished Undrafted Prospect

The road to success for Sebastian Castro was anything but easy. It was marked by its fair share of obstacles right from the start.

During his first two years at Iowa, Castro appeared in just one game on a defensive unit widely regarded as one of the best in the Big 12 Conference. However, one year later, Castro finally had the opportunity to prove his worth. He played in 14 games and showcased glimpses of his potential.

Over the next three years, Castro established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the conference. In 2022, he started eight games, recording 33 tackles, a sack, and five pass deflections on a secondary unit that included standout players such as Cooper DeJean and Riley Moss. The following year marked his breakout season. He featured in all 14 games, registering 67 tackles, three interceptions, one defensive touchdown, and eight pass deflections. His performance earned him All-American recognition from multiple publications, as well as Second Team All-Big Ten honors.

What has consistently defined Castro throughout his collegiate career is his versatility. Last season with the Hawkeyes, he achieved a commendable coverage grade of 63.8. However, Castro's true strength as a defender lies in his ability to support the run. On 291 run defense snaps last season, Castro earned an impressive run defense grade of 76.2, according to Pro Football Focus. While his statistics might not immediately suggest elite status, they clearly reflect a player capable of delivering at a high level in any given situation.

It is rare for a player with Castro's credentials to go undrafted. However, as demonstrated by current running back Jaylen Warren, such a status can often work to a player's advantage. Given the Steelers' need for greater quality and depth in their secondary, Castro represents the kind of player who could potentially make an immediate impact during his rookie season. Although his path to the NFL was arduous, he may now be in the perfect position to prove why he was worth drafting all along.