Buccaneers Pick Defensive Tackle Calijah Kancey
April 27th, 2023
Our beloved Buccaneers just found a wild X-factor of a speedy inside pass rusher to put next to Vita Vea.
With the No. 19 overall pick, the Bucs picked University of Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.
The ACC Defensive Player of the Year is a jolt of lighting in the Aaron Donald mold, freakishly quick and Donald-sized (6-1, 281 pounds in February).
One could argue that selecting Kancey in Round 1 of the draft this year, especially at No. 19 overall, is a senseless move for Tampa Bay. Why? Because the team just signed young veteran Greg Gaines to play alongside Vita Vea in the defensive trenches, and versatile defensive lineman Logan Hall was drafted last year as the first overall pick in Round 2.
But Joe would counter by saying inside hell-raisers on the defensive line can be total game-wreckers, and considering the Bucs’ edge rush is highly suspect, maybe Kancey is a prime fit.
Former Jets personnel executive and defensive coach Pat Kirwan co-led an on-air mock draft recently and was in charge of the Bucs’ pick at No. 19 overall. Kirwan had the Bucs trading down with Minnesota to the No. 23 overall pick, with Tampa Bay also getting the Vikings’ second-round pick in 2024.
Then at No. 23 Kirwan had the Bucs selecting Kancey, “the penetrating tough guy,” Kirwan called him.
But the Bucs grabbed him at No. 19.
Joe gets that most fans won’t be excited about this pick because the Bucs are desparate for an offensive line upgrade. But Joe understands the Bucs wanting to pounce on Kancey, who is one of the biggest wild cards in the draft.
Kancey is undersized but similar size as Donald — and with similar freak athleticism. Kancey ran the fastest 40-yard dash for a defensive tackle since 2003 at the Combine. His film makes any football fan sit on the edge of his chair.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:27 pm
Thank you for not taking Will Levis
April 27th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Awesome
April 27th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Can he replace Plan 9?
April 27th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Great pick! Draft great players regardless of position. I love this pick.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Glad we used 19th pick on something we needed and not a bad QB.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Great pick
April 27th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
As Dungy said, you build your defense from front to back. If he’s any good, then this is a fantastic pick.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Fire them all !
April 27th, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Goodell also announced him as a DE, for whatever that is worth
April 27th, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Nice pick. We needed upgrade on DL. Kid looks like a player.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:29 pm
A lot of mock drafts had him going to Detroit at 18. A lot of god stuff said about him, just shocked we didn’t get Harrison or Branch. Maybe Bucs happy with development of existing OL and grab one in rd 2.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:29 pm
I FK love it, for starters!
April 27th, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Very sad right now, I really don’t understand this strategy.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Like taking Booger when we had Sapp. It’s done let’s accept it.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:30 pm
Pass rush wins games and championships
April 27th, 2023 at 10:30 pm
He was certainly on my radar, but I didn’t think we choose him with our first pick. As usual I defer to the brain trust who should know more than I do. I like the pick and I like the player and obviously I just hope he pans out. Eventually a defensive lineman will. Aside from vea of course.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:30 pm
I really like the pick. Dude could be an absolutely game wrecker for us.
Still think the Bucs will suck this year but this is a great pick for the future.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:30 pm
Pleasantly surprised with this pick. Really hopeful that he is a stud inside rusher. Go bucs!
April 27th, 2023 at 10:30 pm
Great player but like u said not necessarily needed. Then again bowles only likes to play his linemen half the snaps. Gota stop the run todd even tho they always pass!
April 27th, 2023 at 10:31 pm
I like this pick alot.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:31 pm
The top tackles were gone. Smart pick. Hopefully Anton Harrison is there in the 2nd.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:31 pm
Yeah!
April 27th, 2023 at 10:32 pm
He is the antidote to the serial loafing that happens on our D—and everything Logan Hall and JTS aren’t.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:32 pm
Very good pick!
Bucs needed Pass Rusher more than any other position on the team and got one!
April 27th, 2023 at 10:32 pm
Hard to complain about this, dude definitely looks freakish
April 27th, 2023 at 10:32 pm
Pistol Pete Says:
Like taking Booger when we had Sapp. It’s done let’s accept it.
———
All Booger did was be a solid starter on the best defense in the history of the NFL. What a bust.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:32 pm
Steven
I’m wondering if 50% Vea is actually “panned out”
April 27th, 2023 at 10:33 pm
My guess is this guy was very high on the Bucs boards and they realized they might’ve had higher needs but just couldn’t pass up on him.
It’s likely the Best Avail strategy. I can respect the pick, even if he ends up being just half as good as Donald (not a guarantee) it will be a great pick… of course, we never know until usually at least 3-4 years after the draft.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:33 pm
Defensive Player of the year in his conference, so he’s fundamentally football sound and great draft measurables. What’s not to like?
April 27th, 2023 at 10:33 pm
Love it. Go Bucs!
April 27th, 2023 at 10:34 pm
With Falcons drafting Bijon Robinson and Panthers taking franchise qb this pick makes a lot of sense and dline just trumped oline as far as priority.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:34 pm
Absolutely a home run pick. Perfect compliment to Vea, creates inside pressure on run and pass downs – double team Vea and watch him go off
Great pick for what we need on D, go T in the 2nd
April 27th, 2023 at 10:34 pm
Again, the jason leitch loving Joe-Joes just can’t say that JL messed up again. What a horrible GM with a quality QB and OT still there.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:34 pm
This guy looks versatile enough to play inside and outside and gives you a lot of flexibility in scheme. He should also help the LBs eat by disrupting the pocket. He is fast as heck and has a motor. I can see more mixes of 4-3 and 3-4 with the depth.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:34 pm
They had better use him right, he’s special if he’s a 4-3 DT – he’s not a 3-4 DE. Switch to a 4-3 and use Hall and JTS as DE’s, where they’ll be in the right position.
Vita can keep playing part time at 380lbs and be your interior run stuffer, while Kancey can be the attacking pass rusher.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:34 pm
We are thinking like the Eagles and I love it and the CD pick. Didn’t think it would happen if we stayed at #19, but it’s a 👌 w/ me
April 27th, 2023 at 10:35 pm
So all the tears and whining about the trenches and when we pick a player for the trenches you still whine about it. Make up your minds. We didn’t bring back Gholston, so we did need another man on the Dline. Now our line is younger, which we needed desperately. Trust the process and let it play out.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:36 pm
Like the pick. Build from the trenches back on both sides of the ball.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:37 pm
Should be good. Unlikely he is a bust like Plan 9 was.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:37 pm
I’m fine with the pick , I was sweating that they would take Levis
April 27th, 2023 at 10:38 pm
New guy with motor and fire could help disrupt the front and could even motivate more out of 9 and 90 by example in that role
April 27th, 2023 at 10:38 pm
I like the pick because it addresses the lack of pressure from the DL. This will help the DBs too. It will have a cascading effect if he lives up to the billing.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:40 pm
High motor, disruptor. BPA
April 27th, 2023 at 10:41 pm
They used a 1st rd. pick on a guy that’s not even a 3 down player?
April 27th, 2023 at 10:41 pm
@RodMunch…if he plays like Booger I’m good. Potential franchise QB on the board and we take another DT after Hall in 2022….hmmm.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:42 pm
Like it n they are comparing his abilities to one of the best to ever play Aaron Donald. What’s not to like. Shaq coming back from injury JTS not doing much Logan hall still developing n the new guy from the rams we deff needed this pick.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Good pick.
April 27th, 2023 at 10:46 pm
I hope to be pleasantly surprised but it didn’t seem like it was much of a need compared to some other positions.
I wish everybody would please stop comparing him to Aaron Donald. That’s like comparing every 6’4″ quarterback to Tom Brady. There’s so much more to being at that Hall of Fame level than having a similar weight and height and 40 time. smh
April 27th, 2023 at 10:46 pm
3/9 winning seasons
Looks like 3/10 inbound
April 27th, 2023 at 10:49 pm
Thank you for rebuilding the right way
April 27th, 2023 at 10:52 pm
We take a 2nd rounder DT with our 17 pic ?? Why not shop the pick to get more capital, but obviously Vita and Hall aren’t very impressive and we need a tackle, safety, and a shut down corner because Davis is good for 7 games and has hands made out of brick.. it’s time to see how i retested the Bills and others are for ungrateful White and send Evans to a contender !!! Hopefully we can get a 2nd or two 3rds, but I see 4 wins this year especially under this regime.. How are they going to protect Baker because Whirfs can’t play all positions, but
It’s going to be a long year and when Baker goes out we then have Trask at the helm 😳 atleast lovie and the Texans made moves and got two studs, but hopefully this will be Todd’s last year on the sidelines .. YUC Life
April 27th, 2023 at 10:53 pm
Stop with the 4-3 non sense. You are retarded. We don’t have 4-3 linebacker outside of lavonte. You aren’t paying shaq that to drop back into coverage. Bowles has never ran a 4-3. Donald plays end in 3-4 and so will he and move inside on pass rushing downs
April 27th, 2023 at 10:58 pm
Tank for Caleb!
April 27th, 2023 at 11:01 pm
Looks like a 3rd down pass rusher to me. 6’1 280lbs fast DE. I’m not sure how I feel about using the 19th pick on a 3rd down player.
April 27th, 2023 at 11:13 pm
Said we’d be surprised. Was expecting OL but I guess Jason feels he can get a good one later. Nice pick.
April 27th, 2023 at 11:17 pm
Maybe they DID shop the pick and couldn’t find a partner.
As far as the pick goes…. BRILLIANT! This guy is a stud! He has a Sapp / Donald mixed vibe about him. And he fills a need. For the ” PRESSURE” WE HAVE TO HAVE for us and with no True Edges left,, HE WAS THE BPA! No doubt about it.
I guarantee you one thing. He’s NOT prissy and he’s NO Diva! He’s the guy you want beside you in the fox hole!
This guy WILL snap your arse! Hopefully he will inspire JTS and Hall. With the investment we have now on the front D line, if it all comes together, WATCH OUT!
Excellent pick
April 27th, 2023 at 11:20 pm
A FIRST ROUND NACHO!!!! YUC FaNS did we expect anything less from Jason and the GLazer boys ??? So much for acquiring draft capital, but another 15 years of crappy play on the field lead by Todd Freaking Bowel Movement
April 27th, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Bucs needed a difference maker and a nasty in the trenches. Kancey delivers.
April 27th, 2023 at 11:25 pm
J, Vea is consistently considered one of the best defensive tackles in the game. We all wish you would play more snaps, but hopefully this pick will create a better rotation along with Gaines. We shall see.
April 27th, 2023 at 11:36 pm
@steven007 because Vita had a good 2019 and 2020 he’s now rated the best DT in the league ?? Lmao because that guy plays half the snaps and knew if he played well he would get paid and he did. Ever since then he’s gone ghost and all he knows what to do is eat tons of poi and watching his SB vid in the locker room just showed me no one respects him or even acknowledge him after they won, he’s immature, a follower,
and is so overrated with his lawn mower celebration that we haven’t seen much in 2 years, but the first round Nacho pick will help ?? Lmao and watch he will come in at 380 and I’m going to say day 3 of training camp he gets hurt and out for the year while collecting Glazer money for doing nothing
April 27th, 2023 at 11:39 pm
Man when they picked Calijah Kancey I’m excited. Iits a excellent pick. He looks like he got that dog in him.
April 27th, 2023 at 11:55 pm
Glad to see the majority of JBF supporters like the oick. Those of you that don’t, a few have understandable reasons, but most of you make Simple Jack look like a MENSA member.
Of course, none of you nimrods would know what MENSA is.
April 27th, 2023 at 11:56 pm
Who?
April 28th, 2023 at 12:27 am
Not necessarily our biggest need, but I didn’t think Kancey would even remotely be available. Effin’ stoked! Go Bucs!
April 28th, 2023 at 12:29 am
@Goatfarmer
And they won’t get the “Simple Jack” reference
April 28th, 2023 at 12:49 am
Seems like a good prospect…makes the Hall ( and for that matter the Keep Tryon pick ) look underwhelming. Hall and Keep Tryon should simply become this generations Milli Vanilli.
April 28th, 2023 at 1:40 am
Who? Don’t think this guy was mentioned once on here. BUT, trenches win AND if not OL, why not DL? Also gotta figure we lose Shaq(won’t be the same), Hicks, Goldston, Nacho all in the off season, so we at least got younger
April 28th, 2023 at 1:45 am
Yucs2Bucs Sucks!
April 28th, 2023 at 3:11 am
I think Bowles and company will be able to run some pretty sweet games with he and Vea this season.
April 28th, 2023 at 6:52 am
JimSays…you sound like a real fan….of the Packers….
April 28th, 2023 at 7:12 am
There is no question depth in the defensive line is extremely important, given that most defensive linemen play less than 60% of the snaps due to tuckering out from rushing the passer. The fact that Licht already recruited the depth to go behind a rookie likely starter shows football intelligence, unlike that displayed by the complainers who hate this pick, or don’t understand this pick.
If one of the top four OTs had been on the board at 19, I do imagine that Licht would have grabbed him, but I expected D-line especially quality pass rushers more than run stoppers to be the next priority, given our head coach’s expectations for defensive performance and pass rushing.
We’ll never know how good any pick is until at least 3 years after they’re drafted, but this one looks great on paper.
April 28th, 2023 at 7:17 am
Very happy they didn’t reach for need took one of the best players still on the board!
April 28th, 2023 at 8:09 am
Back in the day, I seem to remember reading about Coach Dungy’s letter to Warren Sapp & in it he was telling Sapp that he thought his ideal playing weight was 285 lbs. I see Aaron Donald plays near that weight (and has claimed in the past top weigh 260 Lbs.) & Kancey is at 281 lbs. (in February).
April 28th, 2023 at 8:42 am
i love the pick, lined up next to vita he is not going to get many double teams. this guy dominates in one on one. He will evolve into a game wrecker.
April 28th, 2023 at 9:57 am
Good, solid pick!!!