Breaking down Penn State DB Tariq Castro-Fields to the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers drafted the "Mr. Irrelevant" of the sixth-round, selecting Penn State defensive back Tariq Castro-Fields with the 220th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Castro-Fields was widely expected to go earlier in the draft, immediately making the selection a value pick in the late-sixth round, even if the position isn't necessarily a need for the organization.

Castro-Fields, who stands at 6'0, 197-pounds, tested extremely well at the NFL Combine, running a 4.38 40-yard dash and garnering a 9.74 relative athletic score.

The 49ers have been busy on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, taking UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford with their fourth-round selection at pick No. 134, Toledo defensive back Samuel Womack with their fifth-round selection at pick No. 172, Fordham offensive lineman Nick Zakelj with their first sixth-round selection at pick No. 187, and UCF defensive tackle Kalia Davis with their second sixth-round selection at 221.

Castro-Fields struggles in run defense, which is partially the reason that he fell to the sixth round, and does possess tight hips, limiting his ability as a corner, but the athleticism, alongside his press-coverage ability, makes him an upside pick for the secondary.

After a year in which the 49ers had to find players outside of the organization at cornerback, Castro-Fields provides depth at the position, and could even compete at the safety position in training camp, although his questionable tackling would hinder those plans.

Moreover, the 49ers elected to draft best-player-available once again, and get another athlete at the defensive back position with better size than the cornerback they selected in the fifth-round in Samuel Womack.

Written By: