New York Giants Draft Prospect: CB Sebastian Castro, Iowa

Sebastian Castro is a versatile run defending safety who played multiple positions within Iowa's deense.

Sebastian Castro, DB

Height: 6-5
Weight: 265 lbs.
Class: RS-Senior
School: Iowa
STATS

A former three star recruit out of Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where he was the 11th safety and the 27th ranked recruit out of Illinois during the 2019 cycle. Earned Second-Team All-Big-10 in 2023 and Third-Team in 2024. He was also a Second-team Midseason All-American by the AP.

Strengths

Thick sturdy build with modest length
Is a sufficient athlete who can open & close his hips adequately
Solid short-area-quickness and closing speed
Solid change of direction skills are maximized by footwork/COG
Attacks downhill promptly vs. the run and screens
Quick and active hands when disengaging and jamming at the LOS
Excellent overall footwork – very controlled mover in coverage
Technically sound footwork when approaching the LOS or in coverage
Excellent positioning and transitions in coverage – efficient feet / fluid hips / stays square to LOS when necessary
Very smart and savvy player in coverage – disciplined with very good eyes
Effortlessly sinks underneath 7/Corner for interception opportunities as curl/flat
Excellent spatial awareness in zone – locates backside routes and undercuts; smart!
Very high football IQ – played exceptionally well in the cohesive Kirk Ferentz defense
Elite eyes from apex vs. screens – excellent job avoiding and deconstructing stalk blocks
Not shy to get physical in coverage
Sufficient in man coverage – will match RBs/TEs – shiftier or bigger/slot receivers could pose issues
Very good overall run defender who executes his responsibility well
Does a good job shedding/avoiding blocks to fit the run
Physical player with a high motor
Has power in his hits – goes for the football violently
Versatile player with nickel and sub-package upside

Iowa defensive back Sebastian Castro (29) warms up during a NCAA football game against Nevada, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Weaknesses

Lacks top-end athletic traits – doesn’t have the immediate twitch of other DBs
Does not possess deep long speed
Not very long
Aiming points in his jam can be refined
Lack of top-end athletic traits and length will hinder upside in man coverage
Will prematurely commit in man coverage which has left him susceptible
Gets wild into the tackle point when in pursuit – can clean up his overall technique when at maximum speed
Had a 15.7% missed tackle rate in college – most due to lack of control when at full speed in pursuit
Will be a 25-year-old rookie in October

Sebastian Castro pick six vs Iowa State pic.twitter.com/xkG5CDJ5Fl https://t.co/Rrt0HJZnOj
— SuperHawkeyeFan (@superhawkeyefan) June 19, 2024

Summary

Sebastian Castro is a versatile nickel/sub-package – high football IQ – competitor with excellent feet and run defending ability. Teams all across the NFL are searching for smart and tough overhang defenders who can fit the run, while also possessing the necessary spatial awareness and man coverage skills to play various coverages – Castro checks these boxes to some degree.

Castro is an older prospect at 25. Although he can play man coverage, his lack of high end athletic traits cap his upside in that department. He is an excellent tackler when he’s not in full pursuit; he loses control too frequently into the tackle point and flies around with reckless abandon when he’s near maximum momentum. Castro can be a quality overhang in a zone heavy defense; he can carve out a valuable role while possessing desirable physicality as a run defender in sub-packages.

GRADE: 6.23

Nick Falato's Draft Grade Chart | Nick Falato

Sebastian Castro, DB

Strengths

Weaknesses

Summary

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