The 2025 NFL season is just around the corner and like many teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to put the pieces together for a championship season. With their first preseason game coming up on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, numerous names will look to make an impact and crack a roster spot before the regular season begins. The Steelers are known for their big-name superstars on offense and defense, but some of the unknown players will look to turn some heads over the next couple of weeks.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrates after a late-game interception against the Los Angeles Rams on November 10, 2019.
The Steelers are coming off a busy offseason where they saw many players come and go. Key acquisitions included wide receiver DK Metcalf, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, tight end Jonnu Smith, and defensive backs Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay. Pittsburgh did have to say goodbye to some big pieces on both sides of the ball, letting go of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, running back Najee Harris, linebacker Elandon Roberts, and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick was traded to the Steelers from the Miami Dolphins during the 2019 season, and in his six seasons in Pittsburgh he became a fan favorite, known for his ball-hawking abilities and being one of the best tackling safeties in the NFL.
With Fitzpatrick seeing a slight dip in production during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Pittsburgh shipped him back to Miami in the blockbuster trade for Ramsey and Smith. With Fitzpatrick gone, there is some uncertainty about the safety position in Pittsburgh. DeShon Elliott is the solidified strong safety after an impressive 2024 and a new two-year contract extension worth up to $12.5 million.
The Steelers brought in free agents Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark, and Quindell Johnson in an attempt to fill Fitzpatrick's shoes at the free safety position, but there is one name on the Steelers' depth chart that some fans might not know about: undrafted rookie free agent Sebastian Castro.
Brian Ray / Iowa Athletics
Steelers Sebastian Castro returning an interception during a collegiate game versus Iowa State.
Castro appeared in 53 games over five seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes. During that span, Castro compiled 163 combined tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 14 passes deflected, and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Recently on an episode of Kaboly + Mack, Chris Mack praised Castro's collegiate career.
"He was one of the best safeties in the Big 10, if not in the country last year," Mack said. "He comes from that Iowa secondary that has produced a bunch of NFL talent the last couple of years."
Desmond King, Amani Hooker, Geno Stone, and most recently, Cooper DeJean, are just a few examples of players drafted into the NFL out of Iowa in recent years. Getting drafted compared to going undrafted makes a big difference in terms of impact one can make. Castro finds himself in a unique situation, fighting for a roster spot in a position that doesn't have a true Week 1 starter. Despite some hype, Mark Kaboly isn't as optimistic on the potential impact that Castro could make.
"There's a reason why nobody drafted him, and why he came here [to Pittsburgh], Kaboly said. "He could [work out], but when was the last time one of those priority free agents that you give all you give all that money to actually worked out?"
It has become more common in recent years, but it is still incredibly difficult for an undrafted rookie to make the 53-man roster. Running back Jaylen Warren and cornerback James Pierre are current examples of some of the undrafted free agents to make an impact for the Steelers, as well as Beanie Bishop Jr., and who could forget 2008 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, who was undrafted out of Kent State in 2002.
Nick Rohlman / The Gazette
Steelers rookie Sebastian Castro during a collegiate game.
Steelers' Castro Will Get Opportunities During Preseason.
Undrafted rookies, and NFL rookies in general, use the preseason as an opportunity to solidify their spots on a 53-man roster, and that will certainly be the case for Castro. Pittsburgh kicks off the preseason this Saturday, August 9th against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
Do you think Sebastian Castro can make an impact as an undrafted rookie? Let us know in the comments!
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