NFL Draft: Steelers hit homerun; draft angry South African Alan Faneca

By Artistry

The near-consensus among pundits is that the Steelers scored a major coup when Stanford guard David DeCastro fell to them at the 24th pick in the first round of Thursday night's NFL Draft. I have no idea. I've never heard of him. Here's what people say:

ESPN's Todd McShay:perfect pick for the Steelers. Wakes up angry. Goes to bed angry. Tough, powerful, experienced and durable. Upgrades pass pro and run gm

The Trib's Mark Kaboly: Colbert: Decastro was one guy who we would've traded up to get.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin:"Everything we would ask him to do we saw him do at Stanford [and things of that nature]."

KDKA's Bob Pompeani: He is a Stud....pulling guard...ready to play.....Steelers patience pays off...and get someone who was expected to be top 10 David DeCastro

Finesse: My only concern is that in college he played a lot of September, October, and November football and then jumped right into January football.  Can he play the Dee-cember football that the Steelers need him to play?  That remains to be seen.

The PPG's Ed Bouchette: I had DeCastro going No. 11

LevonUSC: Pittsburgh Steelers are amazing. They always draft at back end of Round 1 and get players. They're getting a 10-year starter in DeCastro

Artistry: I really have no comment, other than the Steelers need offensive linemen, and guards who are supposed to be great are usually great. With John Rienstra being the glaring exception. But Kevin Colbert didn't draft John Rienstra.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen: Steelers selected Stanford guard David DeCastro. Steelers fans will be reminded of All-Pro Alan Faneca. Evaluators talked about how he dominates physically and gets great movement in run game. Has sound technique. Multiple evaluators said he was the best offensive guard prospect in 10 years. Stanford head coach David Shaw said DeCastro reminds him of Steve Wisniewski, the eight-time Pro Bowl guard with the Raiders who is now an assistant line coach with Oakland. DeCastro is from the Seattle area but his parents are South African. His father and grandfather were rugby stars in that country. His mother, Jennifer DeCastro, said she is 6-1 and took partial credit for her son's height.

Greg Cosell: Not surprised DeCastro lasted this long. I saw him as good player but not special.

Was just told he's not special