On the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season, Cleveland Browns seasoned veteran Rodney McLeod hung his cleats for good. He didn’t play in Cleveland very lengthy however left his mark as being a gradual go defender and a participant who didn’t hesitate to hit. Whereas McLeod wasn’t a starter, he was an important a part of a protection that now wants much more assistance on the Browns roster.
What his retirement means is that the staff has a job opening. Plus, there are a number of members of the protection group that are free brokers. Which means their availability is in jeopardy.
Picture by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photographs/Getty Photographs
Sebastian Castro of Iowa would fill in properly. He’s a pandemic athlete which granted him an additional season, so he performed 5 years at Iowa. He had 163 whole tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and two compelled fumbles. He was named Third Workforce All-Massive 10 this 12 months and Second Workforce All-Massive 10 in 2023.
Dawgs By Nature employees author Barry Shuck spoke with Castro on the Senior Bowl.
S Sebastian Castro – Iowa
5’-11” 204 kilos
40 time: 4.6
Projected spherical: 3
Q: Would you’re feeling you’re extra of a deep go centerfield security, or would you like to come back down within the field extra?
A: I really feel I can do each fairly properly. That clearly depends upon the opposite staff’s scheme. However I’m a bodily participant. At Iowa, we had been a two-high staff match-match.
Q: What do you supply an NFL staff?
A: I really feel I’m a great participant and got here from a great program. I might develop shortly and have the instruments.
Q: How would you describe your tackling talents?
A: Elite. I’ve good instincts and am versatile. I can play the nickel or deep security if wanted. I can assault from the field or patrol the deep portion of the sector. I perceive how ballcarriers assume so I’m good within the run sport in addition to I can blitz. I’m positively a man who could be moved round quite a bit.
Q: The Browns play some 4-2-5. Which means typically one of many linebackers is a security. Is that an issue space for you?
A: No, I don’t assume so. At Iowa, we might play that formation some so I’ve already been in conditions the place we might play 5 defensive backs and I used to be the one moved to linebacker. I’m good at run assist in order that they caught me there as a result of they know I received’t hesitate to fill a niche and assault the ballcarrier.
Q: Who had been a few of your favourite gamers rising up?
A: Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu, Devon Witherspoon, Ed Reed, Budda Baker – guys like that.
Q: The place is your consolation degree – up on guys or with a buffer and react off the cornerback?
A: I really feel comfy being in any scenario irrespective of who I’m protecting being a receiver, a working again, or a decent finish.
Picture by Matthew Holst/Getty Photographs
Q: You had been a participant who might have left school after the 2023 season however stayed one other 12 months. What had been the main points for why you remained at Iowa?
A: I felt we had a great staff and would make a run at a Massive 10 title was one cause. And one other is I wished to enhance my draft inventory from a decrease spherical projection. I liked taking part in school soccer. And if I stayed or declared for the draft, I’m nonetheless taking part in soccer. That is simply one other a part of my journey. I’m blessed regardless.
Q: What do you do to enhance your sport?
A: I simply give attention to the main points daily. It’s an ongoing course of being a student-athlete. It’s a must to benefit from your time within the weight room and what you eat. I’ve performed quite a lot of soccer and used my management to assist the youthful gamers and present them how one can work. In school, I realized to be an expert. Confidence will not be onerous to not see it.
Q: Would you will have any points taking part in particular groups?
A: Completely be on particular groups. I’ve performed on the kickoff most of my profession again to highschool and like to fly down on the kickoff. I do know the kickoff guidelines are completely different now within the NFL, however it’s nonetheless soccer and it’s nonetheless discovering the ballcarrier and taking him down.
Q: Is your power robust security or free security?
A: I’ve performed each and like taking part in each. I’ve confidence at both.
Q: What are your private objectives?
A: I’m simply making an attempt to do the very best I can. I consider all the things will comply with how I want it will. I simply preserve engaged on my skillset. I come from a program the place the protection is the usual. I wish to convey that commonplace to the following degree.
Q: How would you describe your play for NFL coaches and scouts?
A: I’m a man who’s constant, I really feel I’m very sensible and my largest asset is my velocity and can hit. However I don’t have an issue reaching out to guys who’ve performed quite a bit and ask questions and be taught from what they know.