The Stanford Cardinal featured one of the best offensive lines in college football last season and two of their players will see their hard work rewarded at the 2012 NFL Draft. David DeCastro and Jonathan Martin are both currently projected as mid-first round picks and could use a strong showing at this week's NFL Combine to boost their stock even more. They will both arrive in Indianapolis on Wednesday and begin a multitude of tests, interviews, workouts and other various things throughout the week.
The latest mock draft from SB Nation has the two Stanford standouts being selected in the first round.
The first is Martin, who would be heading west to Kansas City:
11. Kansas City Chiefs, Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Martin is another prospect who could earn way more attention after this week. Attention or not, he is a talented prospect that would upgrade the Chiefs offensive line. An improved front five would also help the team bluff its way through one more year of Matt Cassel at quarterback.
DeCastro would be heading south to play in the same stadium he played the Fiesta Bowl in:
13. Arizona Cardinals, David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
DeCastro might be the best offensive lineman in the draft behind Matt Kalil. He is, however, a guard, a position less hyped than outside pass protectors. Either way, Arizona needs help, and with Reiff and Martin off the board, DeCastro is their next best pick. The question on everyone's mind between now and April is whether DeCastro will be picked higher than this.
Both teams undoubtably need help up front to protect their quarterbacks and have been linked to Martin and DeCastro in recent weeks. A big week at the 2012 NFL Combine could increase their stock even more and a potential top-10 selection is not out of the question.
For more on the Cardinal and their football program, head on over to Rule Of Tree.