Draft preview series: Stanford G David DeCastro

March, 18, 2012
3/18/12
11:00
PM CT
Our sixth installment in the draft preview series looks at Stanford guard David DeCastro.

Scouts Inc. ranks: No. 1 guard, No. 16 overall
Bio: Started every game at right guard the last three seasons after redshirting as a freshman. Consensus All-American in 2011 and first-team conference the last two seasons. Stanford averaged better than 200 rushing yards per game in each of his three seasons as a starter. Graduated with a degree in management, science and engineering.

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David DeCastro
Matt Kartozian/US PresswireGuard David DeCastro's biggest strength as a blocker is as a pass protector.
Size: 6-foot-4 7/8, 316 pounds
40-yard dash: 5.34 seconds
225-pound bench press reps: 34
Vertical jump: 29.5 inches
Broad jump: 8-foot-2
20-yard shuttle: 4.56 seconds

Broaddus Breakdown (viewed USC, Oregon, Notre Dame and Oklahoma State games): Lined up at right guard for the Cardinal. ... Sits really low in his stance and is quick out of his stance. Nice slide and punch. … Good pull and adjust. Has a little hitch when he pulls but it doesn’t limit his ability to get to the outside. Does a nice job when he gets on the edge of finding his target and sustaining his block. Really does a nice job of sealing the edge and staying on his feet. … It is rare that you see him on the ground. Good to get to the second level, able to combo with center or tackle and work up. … Thought he did a better job with his sustain of block when on the edge more so than when he was inside. Can make the backside cut-off block. … If there is one area that DeCastro struggles, it is when he has to be a one-on-one blocker in the running game. He doesn’t always get the movement that you would expect from a player that benched 225 pounds 34 times at the combine. In this area, you see him getting stalemated more times than not, which is surprising. … His biggest strength as a blocker is as a pass protector. Has nice knee bend and flexibility when he kicks away from the line. Plays with balance and you do not see any overextension, which happens to a lot of college linemen. Really good job of movement and sliding with his man. Is very light on his feet and even when he is beaten with quickness, he is able to counter the move and work back into position to finish the block. … I am impressed with the way that when he is uncovered in the pocket that he is always looking to help a teammate with a block. Has outstanding awareness of his assignment and what he needs to do in the scheme to be successful. You see the ability to adjust when defenses run blitzes and games to try and pressure Andrew Luck. … Is the best guard in a deep draft at the position. Thought there was a real chance before free agency that he was going to be the Cowboys’ selection, but now I feel like they will go in a different direction.

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