If it's possible for a 6-foot-4½, 316-pound offensive lineman to sneak up on you, Stanford guard David DeCastro is that guy.

DeCastro and quarterback Andrew Luck were college teammates. Luck has attracted a lot of predraft attention as the projected No. 1 pick overall, the slot occupied by the Indianapolis Colts.

DeCastro plays a position that rarely draws first-round attention in the NFL draft, but that's how high DeCastro is expected to go when the seven-round, three-day draft starts April 26.

A guard hasn't been a top-10 draft pick since the New Orleans Saints made former Colorado star Chris Naeole the 10th selection overall in 1990. Naeole was an 11-year starter in the NFL.

Michigan's Steve Hutchinson & & & & & & & & & was considered the gold standard of guard prospects in 2001, but even he wasn't selected until the 17th pick (by the Seattle Seahawks).

New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins was the last pick of the first round in the 2005 draft and has been a Pro Bowl lineman, but he didn't play one game at guard during his Fresno State career. He was a left tackle with the Bulldogs and switched to guard in the NFL.

As for DeCastro, he might go as high as the top 10. He has NFL-ready technique, footwork and balance. Some teams are concerned about his lower-body strength, but that's not anything close to a red flag.

Mankins bench-pressed 225 pounds only 21 times at the NFL scouting combine in 2005. Linebackers and running backs at that & & & & & & & & combine were more impressive weightlifters, but Mankins is now considered one of the NFL's best players at his position.

DeCastro bench-pressed 225 pounds 34 times at this year's scouting combine. He will be an NFL starter the day he arrives at his new team headquarters.

Jeff Legwold: jlegwold@denverpost.com