2012 NFL Draft: One Scout's Take on David DeCastro

Then again, maybe the Titans have already found that 3-5 rounder.

@RookieDaft Alshon Jeffery is training at St. Vincients here in Indy. Sources say he’s weighing 249lbs + running a 4.88 forty

Overall, Ted Miller seems to suggest that DeCastro’s not worth a first-round pick. But in the same paragraph he says he should be an All-Pro if he works hard enough. What more could you ask for!?

Pass blocking: Solid pass protector who just doesn’t get beat. Possesses enough anchor to keep quarterbacks clean, will reset hands to get leverage if giving a bit off the line. Keeps feet moving and head up after initial contact to stay in front of his man. Capable of blocking down with one hand, then sliding to help tackle on the same play. Very aware of late blitzers, can stone them or ride them out of the pocket. Usually keeps arms extended in pass pro to maintain distance with hia man. Better linemen will win some hand battles and get a bit of push in the pocket. Overextends at times, but recovers well.

Run blocking: Excels as a run blocker in power, zone, and when on the move. Keeps eyes up to pick up nearest target. Once his man is on the ground, stays on top until the play is away. Rarely allows defenders to sidestep him. Not a dominant drive-blocker, though he can overwhelm lesser talent off the snap and will keep his legs churning after contact. Stronger tackles can anchor or move him a bit off the snap, though he rarely get beat, usually using momentum to ride them from the hole—sometimes putting them the ground.

Pulling/trapping: Coaches rely his quick feet to lead the way on pulls outside and traps inside. Reaches second level in a hurry, has natural bend and flexibility to get correct angle on target. Does not always dominate smaller defenders after initial contact, falling off instead of latching on, but sometimes takes out multiple targets with strong glancing blows. Will miss inside target on occasion, giving max effort to cut or reach the linebacker as he goes by.

Initial Quickness: Very good off the snap, gets hands onto his man immediately and is rarely beaten with initial pass rush move. Swims over tackle at times to reach second-level defenders. Gets some push in goal line situations by coming off hard and low.

Downfield: Does not have elite foot speed, but has more than enough to be used often as a lead blocker outside the tackle. Very effective negating targets seven or eight yards downfield. Inconsistent sustaining against stroner linebackers and defensive backs, will lower his head and targets can disengage too easily with a punch.

Intangibles: Solid work ethic and character. Known for his work on the practice field and in the weight room. Durable linemen who could play every snap in any scheme. Chose Stanford for its academic standards.

He’s not that great guys…

He can be an all pro, he just has to work hard (as if that didn’t apply to every NFL rookie)…

His technique needs some work…

Really, he just has to stay on his feet when he pulls.

So he’s one small technique fix away from being an all pro? Or not? The review seems conflicted.

Plus, we have two of the ultimate technicians on our coaching staff between Munchak and Matthews. Technique is what our line has been known for for years, and it’s one of the things they did really well last year and every other year.

What I hope to see, since its pretty clear they’ll go OL in the 2nd, is that they go OL in both the 2nd and 4th rounds. Somewhat like the Roos/Stewart year is what I’m going off of.

Only two, Logan Mankins and Kendall Simmons, went to teams who have done anything. And both of those teams (Patriots and Steelers) were pretty good teams when those players were drafted as both were drafted late in the first.

because I want him there at #26 for the Texans.

This guy will be a road grader. I want him clearing lanes for Arian Foster.

Doubt we’ll get him, though. He ‘s a future All Pro; he probably won’t last past #15.

I am still of the belief that there will be a guard in the 3rd-5th round that can end up being just as good as DeCastro. The Titans just have to find him.

we really don’t even need that, we just need a guy to bust open holes on counters and whatnot when he pulls, round 3-5 are perfect for that type of guy.

We take Nicks from New Orleans, draft Konz at Center…..and let everyone else compete for the other guard spot?

I cannot really explain why. I just really do lol

When we don’t draft a high round interior lineman and our interior line continues to suck next year thus consistently stopping our offense from succeeding, at least we have another wide receiver to help ease our insecurities about Britt’s knee exploding…

Selfishness over logic ftw.

Been looking at some combine data and i just found that Yamon Figurs ran a 4.3 forty. I always notice him in the preseason with a few good plays but i’m wondering what is holding him back. We are always talking about grabbing a speedster and well it seems we have had one. I’m not saying he is the answer, but still it makes me think

I think our whole first round draft pick is going to center around who we can get in free agency. I can easily see us going pass rush, interior o line, or safety in first round. I have a feeling that the titans FO would prefer to lock up a couple of free agents for o line and d-line then draft safety in the first round, and oline in 2nd and 3rd. But if for some freak reason we cant get Cortland Finnegan back and we dont manage to get a good cornerback in FA then i could see them going with a CB too.