The Steelers top two picks, guard David DeCastro and tackle Mike Adams, will start their first NFL game when the Steelers play the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday night in the preseason opener.
DeCastro will start at right guard and Adams at left tackle.
"Both guys finish and they're smart, young guys," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "We'll know more about them Thursday night."
The two are excited to get on the field in game action, finally going against someone other than their teammates.
"I just want to have fun, play the game and enjoy it," said DeCastro. "It's a chance to hit someone other than your teammates. I just want to play physical and with a lot of high effort."
Adams has been working with the first team at left guard the last few days in practice and is ready to do so in a game, when he knows the coaches' eyes will be on him.
"I am really excited to go out and play against people other than our team and see how I fare against the competition," said Adams. "When you get in the real atmosphere, game situations, that is what they are looking for. It is more of an evaluation."
And his goal for Thursday night is simple.
"Get better every day is my goal, as long as I am better on Thursday than Wednesday, I am good with that."
Guard Willie Colon and defensive end Cameron Heyward are the only two players ruled out of the game with injuries.
