Tariq

Castro-Fields

Nothing much to note here other than Chau Smith-Wade is active at cornerback instead of Tariq Castro-Fields, which is the reverse of what the Panthers did in Week 3.

Allen’s season will end with 53 tackles and 5.5 sacks in what was arguably the most disappointing season for Washington’s defense in franchise history. With one game to go, the Commanders have currently allowed the 13th-most points (480) in NFL history and could be propelled into the top five after Week 18’s contest against the Cowboys. Allen is under contract through 2025 but has hinted at being open to trade this offseason to avoid being stuck in a rebuilding year in 2024. We’re a long way from knowing where Allen will play next season, but his 2023 campaign with the Commanders has officially come to an end. In addition to Allen, the Commanders also ruled out cornerbacks Tariq Castro-Fields (shoulder), Kendall Fuller (knee), and Christian Holmes (concussion), leaving a porous secondary thin heading into Sunday.

Castro-Fields (6'0/194) was spotted warming up on the field during pregame workouts, but later returned to the sidelines in short and with no pads. The senior cornerback appears to be sitting this one out, and marks yet another Penn State defensive starter who is set to miss this game, as the Lions are now down five starters on the defensive side of the ball. Castro-Fields started every game for PSU this season, totaling 39 tackles, and four pass breakups per Pro Football Focus.

While this has been a disappointing season for the Nittany Lions, Castro-Fields (6'0/197) remains a player of interest for many scouts at the next level. The senior, who did not play in Saturday’s loss at Nebraska, accounted for 12 total tackles and one pass breakup in Penn State’s first three games. In what is projected to be a deep cornerback class, Castro-Fields was projected Pro Football Network’s Neal Driscoll to be a Day 3 selection back in late-July. If he can bring more production to the table with regard to pass breakups and interceptions down the stretch, that would help Castro-Fields when it comes to ensuring that he’s a top-100 pick at worst.

Castro-Fields (6'0/197) hovered right around the line of someone who would almost certainly be drafted if he declared, but probably wouldn’t be a top-100 pick. Now Castro-Fields will return to Happy Valley for one final season, which will also allow him to participate in the Senior Bowl or other all-star events following next season. As of now, Castro-Fields can get a little tied up in getting physical with WRs, so if he can clean that up, he will be positioned very well to make a leap in 2020.

Castro-Fields (6'0/186) led the Big Ten in lowest passer rating allowed and the 2018 sophomore didn’t allow a single touchdown. A near shut-down corner as a sophomore, Castro-Fields is on a direct line to the NFL and he’s a candidate to throw his name into the hat early. The former four-star will be one of the better corners in the country in 2019.

And the Terps might be close to shoring this one up, with Scout.com’s Brian Dohn noting that "[s]taying home looks like more and more the option.” In the case of Castro-Fields, home is Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The 6-foot-2, 173-pounder ranks as Scout’s No. 283 overall prospect in the 2017 class. According to Dohn, Castro-Fields possesses “very good length and can jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, but he has to get stronger to be more effective against bigger receivers.”

Scout.com’s Brian Dohn wrote earlier this week that Maryland might be closing in on Castro-Fields, but the Upper Marlboro, Maryland, native has spurned his home state. In Dohn’s opinion, the 6-foot-2, 173-pound safety prospect has shown the ability to handle smaller receivers, but will need to bulk up in order to truly be able to tango with larger wideouts.