We finally have some clarification on the mini-camp status of rookies David DeCastro, Mike Adams and Alameda Ta\’amu, all of whom have been forced to miss the first three OTA sessions of the 2012 season because of college graduation requirements. Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports via Twitter on Tuesday that all three of the Steelers draft picks will be at the mandatory mini-camp next week that gets underway next Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
David DeCastro, Alameda Ta\’amu and Mike Adams WILL be at minicamp next week. It\’s confirmed.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) June 5, 2012
Of the three players, only DeCastro is unsigned and that could very possibly take place over the course of this week as more and more of the first round draft picks are coming to terms by the day. DeCastro should be able to participate even if he is unsigned by next Tuesday.
The news is important because both DeCastro and Adams are seen as possible week one starters on the Steelers rebuilt offensive line at right guard and left tackle respectively. With the installation of the new offense of Todd Haley now in mid-stream, the two top draft picks are behind in their development on the field. The three day mini-camp should allow all three players an opportunity to get extensive work and cram as much as they can into the last session prior to reporting for training camp in late July.
In the absence of both DeCastro and Adams, Ramon Foster is speculated as seeing the most reps at right guard, where he ended the 2011 season as the starter. Marcus Gilbert, Johnathan Scott and Trai Essex all have reportedly seen reps with the first team at the left tackle spot.
