During a slow point in the year for NFL news, the Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines when they released interior offensive lineman David DeCastro. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, DeCastro has been dealing with ankle issues that may determine the future of his NFL career. His colleague Ian Rapoport reported that after two ankle surgeries and is still dealing with issues with it, that may cause DeCastro to decide to retire.
The Steelers selected DeCastro with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Since then he has become one of the most important pieces of their offense. DeCastro has been to the Pro Bowl every year between 2015 and 2020. He has also been named a First-Team All-Pro in 2015 and 2017 along with a Second-Team All-Pro acknowledgment in 2016. Pro Football Focus gave DeCastro a 64.1 grade last season. He only allowed two penalties last season in 845 snaps which was 37th in the league among interior offensive linemen.
Pittsburgh saves $8.75 million against the cap by releasing DeCastro. The Steelers have wasted very little time replacing DeCastro by signing Trai Turner who spent six seasons with the Carolina Panthers and last season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Turner was named to five straight Pro Bowls before being traded to the Chargers last offseason.
If DeCastro decides to resume his playing career he will automatically become the NFL’s most attractive free agent as long as he is healthy. Multiple teams around the league should consider looking into how serious DeCastro’s ankle is and if he could play at a high level on it. If DeCastro can return to Pro Bowl form, here are five teams who should consider signing DeCastro for the 2021-22 season.
Los Angeles Rams: 1 year $3 Million
After trading for Matthew Stafford at the beginning of the offseason, The Los Angeles Rams seem to be preparing for another Super Bowl run. It is fair to say that the biggest question mark on the Rams roster is at the interior of their offensive line. Between tackles Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein the Rams are projected to have David Edwards, Brian Allen, and former second-round pick Austin Corbett. Those three linemen are average at best and but are below-average starters at their respective positions.
Adding DeCastro to this Rams offensive line may be enough to give this unit a boost and not be as vulnerable as it has been in recent seasons. A healthy DeCastro is a Pro Bowl-caliber player and he would be the Ram’s second Pro Bowl-caliber offensive linemen along with former AFC North rival Andrew Whitworth. Los Angeles has not been as dominant on the offensive side of the ball since they lost veterans Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan in the interior of their offensive line. It is possible that adding a talented veteran guard may be what the Rams need to get back over the hump this season.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: Andrew Whitworth, LG: Austin Corbett/David Edwards/Joseph Noteboom, C: Brian Allen, RG: David DeCastro, RT: Rob Havenstein
Los Angeles Chargers: 1 year $9.5 Million
The largest theme of the Los Angeles Chargers offseason has been adding to their offensive line to protect last year’s rookie of the year Justin Herbert. Not only did the Chargers sign 2020-21 First-Team All-Pro Corey Linsley but they also added former Pittsburgh Steeler starter Matt Feiler. They also drafted Northwestern tackle Rashawn Slater to be their starting left tackle. The only question mark on this offensive line is at right guard. The projected starting right guard for the Los Angeles Chargers right now is veteran Oday Aboushi who was also signed this offseason to a 1 year $1.6 million contract. Aboushi started eight games for the Lions last season but is a less than ideal option at the position.
David DeCastro could be intrigued by playing on the same line as his former Steelers teammate Matt Feiler. The Chargers would have added the two starting interior offensive linemen from a Steelers team who has had one of the league’s better offensive lines for a couple of seasons.
Los Angeles has $19.85 million in cap space remaining to sign one of the better free agents still on the market. DeCastro would the Chargers’ third offensive lineman who is considered to be a top-10 player at their respective position including Corey Linsley and Bryan Bulaga. Those three lining up with a first-round pick in Rashawn Slater and a solid veteran in Matt Feiler would give the Chargers a top-10 offensive line in the league. If the Chargers put Justin Herbert behind that talented of an offensive line the sky is the ceiling for a team that talented.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: Rashawn Slater, LG: Matt Feiler, C: Corey Linsley, RG: David DeCastro, RT: Bryan Bulaga
Green Bay Packers: 1 year $2 Million
There are a lot of questions surrounding the Green Bay Packers offensive line who was the best in football last season. Those questions include who will start at left tackle until David Bakhtiari returns and who will start at right tackle. But the biggest questions start at the interior of the Packers line. Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins may start the season at either tackle spot leaving second-year player Jon Runyan, Lucas Patrick, and 2021 Second Round pick Josh Myers in the middle of the offensive line. Myers has the tall task of replacing All-Pro Corey Linsley at center. But both Runyan and Patrick are less than ideal options at the guard positions.
Despite all of the Aaron Rodgers drama, Green Bay seems like an ideal landing spot for DeCastro for multiple reasons. The most appealing part about Green Bay should be the fact he would be joining the league’s best offensive line from a season ago. Also if Rodgers does decide to return to Green Bay, the Packers would be one of the few Super Bowl contenders with a glaring need in the interior of their offensive line. His addition would answer a lot of the questions on where the team’s versatile offensive lineman Jenkins and Turner line up next season when their line is healthy.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: David Bakhtiari, LG: Elgton Jenkins, C: Josh Myers, RG: David DeCastro, RT: Billy Turner
Jacksonville Jaguars: 1 year $13.5 Million
New Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer has rebuilt the league’s worst team in his own image last offseason. Jacksonville added multiple players to the offensive side of the ball including first-round picks Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, and veteran wide receiver. They also retained left tackle Cam Robinson on a franchise tag and added former Stanford tackle Walker Little in the second round. But the Jaguars did not make any additions to the interior of their offensive line. As it currently stands the Jaguars have the solid grouping of Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, and A.J. Cann on the interior of their offensive line.
It is possible that David DeCastro may want to make as much money as possible on his potentially last destination. Despite not currently being the best destination to win a championship, the Jaguars have the most salary cap available with $38.5 available. The Jaguars could offer DeCastro a large contract to be a veteran presence for a young roster. DeCastro would also be an upgrade over Cann who is on the last year of his deal. If the Jaguars sign DeCastro they could move Cann to a team with the need for a cheap veteran offensive guard without taking on a huge dead cap hit.
LT: Cam Robinson, LG: Andrew Norwell, C: Brandon Linder, RG: David DeCastro, RT: Jawaan Taylor
Tennesee Titans: 1 year $2.5 Million
Following back-to-back playoff appearances, the Tennesee Titans made major roster changes this offseason. Most of the Titans’ turnover was on defense but they did make some offensive changes as well. Offensively the Titans lost Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith but recently traded for Julio Jones. After Jones’ addition, the Titans need to be all in to win this season. The Titans’ biggest need on offense right now is at right guard. Former third-round pick Nate Davis has been the weakest link for one of the league’s best offensive lines.
David Decastro would be a massive upgrade over Davis. DeCastro is a fantastic run blocker who would help open more lanes for Derrick Henry. He may be what the Titans need to get over the top and become Super Bowl contenders. DeCastro could hold down the right side of the offensive line while Tennesee figures out who is the best right tackle on their roster.
Projected Offensive Line: LT: Taylor Lewan, LG: Roger Saffold, C: Ben Jones, RG: David DeCastro, RT: Kendall Lamm/Dillon Radunz
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