Stats Make Case Calijah Kancey Was Most Athletic Defender In The Draft
April 28th, 2023
Bucs DT Calijah Kancey.
A week didn’t go by without Joe hearing or reading someone say the Bucs need more speed on the roster.
Joe was sort of hoping one solution to that issue would have been Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs. But he went way higher than anyone guessed, No. 12 overall to the Lions.
So when the Bucs drafted explosive defensive tackle Calijah Kancey at No. 19 from Pitt, Joe knew the guy was fast. But dang, Joe didn’t know what a jock this Kancey is.
Per NextGen Stats, the NFL-owned outfit that collects data from equipment embedded in players’ uniforms, no defender in this draft is an athletic specimen like Kancey.
So yeah, the Bucs not only got quicker on defense, they got a guy that appears to be able to play all over the front line. In fact, per Jenna Laine of ESPN, about 40 percent of Kancey’s snaps playing at Pitt had him lined up outside.
RD 1 | PK 19 – Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey DT, Pittsburgh
Kancey earned the highest athleticism score of any defender in this year's class (98) after running the fastest forty-yard dash (4.67s) by a defensive tackle at the combine since 2003. pic.twitter.com/3hFHRgbp5n
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 28, 2023
April 28th, 2023 at 7:52 am
Hoping his pro career might matches that of another undersized first-round Pitt defensive tackle, Aaron Donald.
April 28th, 2023 at 7:53 am
I’m surprised we didn’t go o-line, but I think this is a good pickup. Given Atlanta’s newly potent running game we need speed and power up front.
April 28th, 2023 at 7:55 am
What a freak lol. I love this pick. I love that I was surprised by it and still loved it because usually when we throw a curveball i hate the pick.
It’s not like the guy didn’t have production either or is some projection of athleticism. He had back to back seasons with 7 sacks and high pressure grades from PFF if that means anything lol.
Sounds like he has a comp somewhere between Ed Oliver and Aaron Donlald. Probably will be more of a pass rush specialist early then a full time guy relied on to make plays in the run game.
April 28th, 2023 at 7:56 am
Hes ok but I would have picked Harrison.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:00 am
His lateral quickness is elite. If he gets 1 on 1 with guards, he’s going to make plays.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:01 am
Dude is gonna be a burner. Love the pick.
Go Bucs!!
April 28th, 2023 at 8:02 am
So far so good. Next OT? Nickel corner? TE? RB?
April 28th, 2023 at 8:06 am
I studied his tape and this guy has great rushing technique. Great hands. I watched him drive a lineman into a pulling guard and push them both into the lap of the QB. He was double teamed a lot and beat many of them and has elite quickness off the ball. Nice pick.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:18 am
He literally is an Animal!
April 28th, 2023 at 8:20 am
Couple him next to Vita and look out. It’s game time!
April 28th, 2023 at 8:22 am
Put him next to vea n Gaines n I believe these guys will wreck havoc. A lot of us said beef up the trenches n that’s exactly what happened here. Jason didn’t reach for a O-lineman out of need instead took the best player available of a position that is sorely needed. We need guys that can get after the QB n help stop the run. Boom check the list. Keep getting it Jason
April 28th, 2023 at 8:24 am
Pairing him with Vea on the line will be solid.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:30 am
Now get Cody Mauch OT from North Dakota St. He’s like a OT version of Ryan Jensen.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:33 am
4.67 for a 281lbs human being is alarming, there are TEs & ILBers that don’t even run a 40 that fast. Imagine being a 6’6 guard that doesn’t have the bend or reactionary athleticism to keep up w/Kancey off of a given snap, lol good luck with that.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:52 am
Lord, I know what you’re saying. I was very well aware of this guy but the pic also surprised me. In a good way. I thought we’d be sucked in to taking a player with more name recognition. Glad we didn’t and hope it works out. This is also a good pic throughout the rotation because as someone mentioned above Gaines is also a big guy though I’m guessing they might throw Kancey on the outside when Vita rotates out sometimes.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:53 am
Dooley, correct. Leverage, as well as his speed will be his greatest weapon. Donald has it, Sapp had it, Randle from back in the day, and even great pass rushers like Robert Mathis and Elvis dumerville who was actually two inches shorter.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:56 am
Offense takles in the N.F.L. 6-6 320 LBS speed guys, most of the time run out of the play. the Buc’s will regret not drafting a quarterback or a left tackle.
April 28th, 2023 at 8:56 am
Warren Sapp 4.69 and we know how that worked out!
April 28th, 2023 at 8:59 am
I like the pick.
There are always fans who wanted someone the Bucs did not pick, and most of those people will choose to hate the pick.
As far as his size…I’m this case it doesn’t matter. His size is comparable to some of the best in the game. So are his college stats.
The issue of him being a 4-3 guy means nothing to me…He can evolve into a 3-4 player…plus, come next year, we don’t know what our base defense will be…though I’ve grown to like the 3-4.
I wanted on of the lines to be the pick, and with the OL guys flying off the board, I expected it to be DL.
Also, Licht can find good OL players in rounds 2-4
April 28th, 2023 at 9:01 am
dude is gonna be a monster
April 28th, 2023 at 9:02 am
All week the JL loving Joe-Joes said the Bucs should not invest another #1 on the OL because they did so with Wirfs. Now, that the bucs did that on the DL (to go with Vita), the JL loving Joe-Joes forgot all of that. Why is that?
April 28th, 2023 at 9:02 am
So our new DT could probably beat MJ Stewart in a footrace…
April 28th, 2023 at 9:02 am
I’m still fondling over the pick. Let’s go Licht!
April 28th, 2023 at 9:11 am
While he may need to put on a few extra pounds, I can’t help but see shades of Javon Hargrave in his style of play.
April 28th, 2023 at 9:11 am
He is a junior at 285 lbs… I’m sure he could add another 15 pounds to make the stat guys happy with his weight.
LOL.
If we can just keep White… then this defense will be all over the QB, from all angles.
Solid pass rushing makes the CBs and LBs even better.
April 28th, 2023 at 9:12 am
Reading the comments about Kancey, I’m feeling much better now.
April 28th, 2023 at 9:15 am
Kacy Rodgers is known for his creative and strategic use of stunts and games with his defensive linemen, keeping opposing offenses constantly on their toes. Now he’s added another weapon to his tool box.
April 28th, 2023 at 9:18 am
Welcome to Tampa, Calijah Kancey. Hope you acclimate to the heat fast and like to play a lot of downs.
This is going to be one of the picks that people remember. This guy did not go sooner because of his size, and that was a mistake by the others. This guy is going to make an impact.
Well done, Jason Licht. Well done.
April 28th, 2023 at 9:20 am
College stats are all we got to go by really.
We will see when he lines up accross from the big boys.
April 28th, 2023 at 9:33 am
Great pick!
DT at 19?
Great value!!!
And he can line up at every position!
Even at OLB!
Bowles is great at creating a Stealth Defense!
Now we need a 4.4 LB/SS to play dime package LB!
Get Devin White off the field on 3rd down!
April 28th, 2023 at 9:42 am
“College stats are all we got to go by really.”
Film > Spreadsheets
April 28th, 2023 at 10:16 am
Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodger
Defensive Line Talent Drafted Over His Career
Dallas Cowboys
• Round 1, 2005: No. 20 overall – DE Marcus Spears
• Round 4, 2005: No. 132 overall – DE Chris Canty
• Round 7, 2005: No. 224 overall – DE Jay Ratliff
• Round 3, 2006: No. 92 overall – DE Jason Hatcher
• Round 1, 2007: No. 26 overall – DE Anthony Spencer
Miami Dolphins
• Round 2, 2008: No. 32 overall – DE Phillip Merling
• Round 3, 2008: No. 66 overall – DE Kendall Langford
• Round 1, 2010: No. 28 overall – DE Jared Odrick
• Round 3, 2012: No. 72 overall – DE Olivier Vernon
• Round 1, 2013: No. 3 overall – DE Dion Jordan
New York Jets
• Round 3, 2018: No. 72 overall – DE Nathan Shepherd
• Round 6, 2018: No.180 overall – DE Folorunso Fatukasi
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Round 4, 2019: No.107 overall – LEO Anthony Nelson
• Round 1, 2021: No.32 overall – LEO Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
• Round 2, 2022: No.33 overall – DE Logan Hall
April 28th, 2023 at 10:18 am
My bad
New York Jets
• Round 1, 2015: No. 6 overall – DE Leonard Williams
April 28th, 2023 at 10:54 am
A 3-cone of 7.00? 7 and under is considered elite – for wide receivers! Wow that one metric alone has me thinking this guy could be a TE. (LOL!)
Let’s hope his quickness and speed translates into production at the NFL level. If anything, I DO have hope that Bowles will use him properly as he’s a very good DC.
Good pick! Love the ceiling for this kid.
April 28th, 2023 at 11:20 am
Look for Chris Simms unbuttoned video on him. He had him as #2 and Carter as the #1 DT….no wonder we turned that pick in fast lol.
Im liking it so far after viewing vids of him. Chris referred to him as a tazmanian devil with the high motor he has….and very strong…and will only get even better.
April 28th, 2023 at 11:54 am
Joe has a hunch that’s exactly what the Bucs will want to do.
Bingo! After his rookie year put him in an NFL weight room all offseason and watch.
(Heard, but have no idea if it’s true, Logan Hall beefed up this offseason.)
April 28th, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Man..Them Eagles got even Beter on Defense. They picked up a prime DT and a DE all in the 1st rd. The rich do get richer.
April 28th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
@ Joes, we cant sleep on Logan Hall just yet….I know what i saw in the research and his body type when I had him as one of my guys last draft…
Maybe he’ll turn a corner in year two. He def has the frame to bulk up.
AND Coaching, coaching, coaching….
April 28th, 2023 at 7:28 pm
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