1st Round Analysis: Standout guard David DeCastro gives Steelers potential dominant 1-2 punch inside for years to come

PITTSBURGH -- It took the Pittsburgh Steelers less than a minute to make their No. 1 pick during the NFL Draft Thursday night, as Stanford offensive guard David DeCastro dropped into the 24th spot where they picked.

DeCastro, nearly 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, is the third offensive lineman that the Steelers have taken with high picks in the past three seasons, as center Maurkice Pouncey was their No. 1 selection in 2010 and tackle Marcus Gilbert was their No. 2 choice last year.

Many had DeCastro slotted somewhere in the top 15, including the Steelers, but it basically was a no-brainer for them to take him with the 24th pick. He was the third offensive guard selected in the first round by the Steelers since 1969, joining Alan Faneca in 1998 and Kendall Simmons in 2002.

"We didn't think David would be there at 24, quite honestly,'' Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said. "We valued him that highly."