New Bucs DB Sebastian Castro Is A 'Violent Football Player'
Sebastian Castro was added to the Bucs’ 53-man roster earlier this week, filling the spot of safety Rashad Wisdom. Wisdom made the team as the fifth safety, but a quad injury has forced him to make a stint on injured reserve. With that keeping him on the shelf for at least four games, it is Castro’s turn to make an impact.
It will not be surprising to see that happen on special teams, but do not be surprised if he sneaks his way on to the field as a defender. Pewter Report caught up with the former Iowa defensive back — as well as his former college teammate and inside linebacker Nick Jackson — to learn more about how he views himself contributing to the team and getting a scouting report on him.
Sebastian Castro Knows He’s A Defensive Back, A Versatile One At That
Sebastian Castro has been on Pewter Report’s radar for a while.
Castro was Pewter Report’s sixth-round selection in the first edition of our 2024 mock draft before he decided to return to Iowa for another season. At the 2025 NFL Combine, the former Hawkeyes’ defensive back was someone we had our eye on and listened to.
#Bucs DB Sebastian Castro discussed how he sees himself fitting at the next level back at the 2025 NFL Combine. Castro is comfortable doing “a lot of things.” Whether that means playing nickel or on the backend, he just wants to make a play.
“At the end of the day, I like… pic.twitter.com/MgBc2NkvVx
— Adam Slivon (@AdamLivsOn) October 2, 2025
He entered the league as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Steelers and spending the offseason with them. Now, Castro has found a home and an opportunity with the Bucs after being plucked off the Steelers’ practice squad.
Versatility is one of his calling cards, having started games at outside linebacker, strong safety, and what Iowa’s defensive coordinator Phil Parker coined the leo/cash position. One Iowa sports reporter stated that “this player can have the speed and pass-breakup ability of a defensive back, but also the size and grit of a linebacker.”
With that in mind, when asked about what his best position is on the field, Castro did not give a clear answer. He is a defensive back who can play wherever he is needed.
“I don’t know, I’m a football player,” Castro said on Wednesday, shortly after joining the team. “I couldn’t play D-Line, in that sense, I know I’m a defensive back… Playing DB is something that I feel like comes naturally. I learned it and improved my skills throughout college. Just finding the ball, being able to play man, being able to get dirty in the run fits, knowing how to find the ball.”
Castro’s breakout season was in 2023, when he took on more responsibility following the departure of Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean. He responded with 67 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, three interceptions and sacks, including a pick-six, all in just 14 games. His counting stats took a dip in 2024, but he still recorded 57 tackles, three tackles for loss, and an interception in 12 games.
As he adjusts to learning head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, it is unlikely that he would be thrust into a scenario where he has to play on defense Sunday against the Seahawks. With injuries to cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Benjamin Morrison perhaps necessitating secondary changes though, that shuffle makes anything possible. His initial path to playing time will be filling Rashad Wisdom’s void on special teams, where he played 25 snaps on the unit in two games.
Seeing meaningful defensive snaps means the hybrid defender must become a quick study.
“This defense, it is a lot in terms of that they have just so many different play calls,” Castro said. “I can’t promise that I’ll know every single call, but after [Wednesday], spending time learning the defense, I feel like I can pick it up pretty quickly. Have more reps with it. I don’t know about this week, but we’ll see what the coaches [think], if they feel comfortable. It’s all up to them, how much we both trust each other making that move if my number needs to be called up.”
Nick Jackson Is “Fired Up” That Sebastian Castro Is His Teammate Again
Sebastian Castro joins the Bucs with a similar situation that he had with the Steelers. As a hotbed for former Iowa Hawkeyes, Castro will have no problem fitting in with the rest of the locker room.
“When I went to the Steelers, I had three other teammates that I went in with,” Castro said. “Just going right here, making that transition, when I got the call that I was going to be coming here to the Bucs, it’s a cool experience knowing that you got guys there as well.”
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs, outside linebacker Anthony Nelson, and safety Kaevon Merriweather are all players who attended his alma mater and are on the active roster. That is not to mention practice squad inside linebacker Nick Jackson.
Jackson and Castro formed a brotherhood in college, and “Action Jackson” was excited to discuss reuniting with him in the NFL.
“I’m fired up,” Jackson told Pewter Report. “I love ‘Stro. That’s my guy, we were boys at Iowa so obviously having him in here feels more like home.”
When asked about what he will bring to Tampa Bay’s secondary, violence was the repeated word used to describe him.
“Very fast, physical, great open-field tackler,” Jackson added. “Just violence, he’s a violent football player. Seen a lot of big hits, a lot of open-field tackles, he’s really just a playmaker, at the end of the day.”
They had a lot of good memories during their two seasons together, having been a part of a 10-4 team in 2023 and an 8-5 squad in 2024. When asked about the fondest moment Jackson had of Castro, he pointed to Iowa’s 15-6 win over Wisconsin in 2023.
Castro played a vital role in winning that game, as he recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception. He stood out with a big game, on his birthday no less. As much as those numbers stood out, Jackson pointed to his ability to make critical open-field tackles.
“That Wisconsin game in 2023, I think he went five-for-five on open-field tackles on an NFL running back right now,” Jackson said. “I won’t name any names, but they were very impressive. Forced a fumble on it, too. I’ve seen him jump over offensive linemen to tackle a screen in the backfield. he’s done some wild things. In practice too, he’s done some crazy things. That’s a fast, that’s a violent football player. I’m excited to have him here.”
While humble enough not to name names, that running back was Braelon Allen, who is a well-built 6-foot-1, 235-pound workhorse for the Jets.
As Sebastian Castro looks to get up to speed learning the Bucs’ defense, he was thought of highly enough to be the player the team pursued to join the ranks in a talented secondary.
“It’s exciting times,” Castro said about entering the mix. “[They’ve] started off strong, and I’m pretty sure these guys are wanting to keep that up. It’s exciting times, whenever you’re with a good team. I’m lucky to be here.”
Jalen Hurts gave short, honest response on how he handles frustrated teammates
Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts keeps it simple when it comes to addressing how he deals with frustrated teammates. During his media availability, Hurts didn't have much to say when he started hearing voices not aligned with the team's mission.
“Just gotta focus and keep the main thing the main thing.”
Hurts understands what the assignment needs to be for the Eagles
Eleven words and not much to misconstrue. The Eagles' franchise quarterback kept it extremely simple and concise, which is pretty refreshing considering A.J. Brown's cryptic comments regarding his current feelings towards the organization. Hurts' commitment to the "main thing," which is most likely another Eagles Super Bowl.
Hurts has so far this season been short of criticism from outside voices, but with the team currently sitting at 4-0, there isn't much to really panic about in Philadelphia at this time. Despite the offensive woes and inadequacies, the mission remains the same.
Despite all the success, Hurts never wavered in his approach towards the media, remaining his ever-stoic self. Hurts remained supportive of Brown, not paying much attention to his wide receiver's recent post. Truly, Hurts didn't read too much into it, opting not to "analyze or speculate" on the matter and still knows Brown is willing to contribute towards the "main thing." Hurts also made it clear to the media that his relationship with Brown is fine.
Hurts has been at the helm of the Eagles' offense since the middle of 2020, taking over for 2016 first-round draft pick Carson Wentz. The Oklahoma/Alabama product has led the team to a 50-20 record, along with two Super Bowl appearances, and his own Lombardi trophy in 2024. Despite all he's accomplished (and currently accomplishing), the weight of being a franchise quarterback is often being at the podium (literally and figuratively) answering for others.
With the Eagles set to take on the Broncos in Week 5 this Sunday, Hurts has the opportunity to answer some of the more mundane questions he's been asked for at least this week.
