PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers need a slot cornerback, and for the second straight year, they may have unearthed a gem in the undrafted free agency process.
Last year, Beanie Bishop went on to start eight games with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent until Cam Sutton came back.
This year, that undrafted free-agent gem could be Iowa’s Sebastian Castro. Most experts projected Castro to be a late-round selection. He received invites to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, usually sure signs for someone’s draft stock.
Yet, Castro surprisingly went undrafted, and the Steelers gave him a $25,000 signing bonus to join the team. That is enough to turn some heads so he has a chance to make the team.
Castro fully expected to get drafted, too, and now wears a chip on his shoulder heading into OTAs.
“For someone who thinks they’re going to get drafted and then don’t end up getting drafted, it’s like a shot to the heart. It definitely adds motivation,” Castro said. “That’s part of the game, though. That’s why I love this game. You’re never going to win every single day and you’re never going to be perfect.”
A big part of Castro’s falling stock was his testing during the pre-draft process. He is 24-years-old, but turns 25 during his rookie year, and did not test like a plus athlete.
He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine after measuring 5-foot-10, 203 pounds. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection while with Iowa.
Castro had 14 tackles for loss and four interceptions. He had three interceptions in 2023, including a pick-six. Over his three years as a role player or starter, Castro had 14 passes defended and 163 tackles.
After playing in the slot for most of his time at Iowa, the Steelers are putting him not only in the slot, but at safety. For now, they have him focussing on safety.
“It’s very new to me. Nothing’s very determined. Right now I’m playing safety. I’m just playing safety right now. That’s what it is for now,” Castro said. “I am comfortable (in the slot), but I’m also comfortable playing strong safety, playing deep safety. I have my fair share. I’ve been in college for six years, so I play a lot of reps, including practice reps as well. I play every three positions, besides outside corner.”
Castro has some help here in Pittsburgh. He reunites with former Iowa teammate Logan Lee and was brought along with Yahya Black and Kaleb Johnson.
With a new city at hand, the three former Hawkeyes are helping each other find new hangout spots and get settled into their new city.
“It’s definitely cool. It definitely makes you feel more comfortable moving into a different city. You know guys already. It feels like a piece of home, a piece of Iowa is going. You’re just reuniting. It’s a good feeling,” Castro said.
Castro has learned a little bit about the Steelers’ defense already, and the most important thing is how aggressive the slot cornerback can be. On tape at Iowa, Castro’s blitzing and tackling was one of his hallmarks, and something the Steelers pointed out to him once he signed.
“If I can attack anywhere, the more aggressive I can play, the better, per se,” Castro said. “Every defense is different. A lot of defenses in the NFL, I would like to say they’re aggressive. It’s just knowing when to be aggressive. That’s something I enjoy doing.”
Castro has the versatility to make the roster playing at three positions, and there will be open competition in the slot, where he could have a fighter’s chance to either start or backup Bishop.
Castro is a name to keep in mind as he participates in OTAs and minicamp with the rest of the players.