The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were thrilled when Pitt defensive lineman Calijah Kancey fell to them at the No. 19 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Tampa Bay already had one of the NFL’s most dominant nose tackles at the heart of their defensive front in Vita Vea, but adding an explosive interior defender like Kancey to the mix was the perfect match.
After a slow start to his rookie season thanks to a calf injury sustained in training camp, Kancey finished his 2023 campaign strong, providing flashes of brilliance that should have the Bucs excited for his future.
Check out this video breaking down why Kancey could be the NFL’s next dominant interior defensive lineman:
QB Baker Mayfield
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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RB Rachaad White
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WR Mike Evans
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
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WR Chris Godwin
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WR Trey Palmer
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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TE Cade Otton
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OT Tristan Wirfs
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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G Sua Opeta
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C Graham Barton
Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
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G Cody Mauch
(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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OT Luke Goedeke
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OLB Yaya Diaby
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OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
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DL Vita Vea
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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DL Calijah Kancey
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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DL Logan Hall
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LB Lavonte David
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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LB K.J. Britt
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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CB Jamel Dean
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CB Zyon McCollum
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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DB Tykee Smith
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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S Antoine Winfield Jr.
(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
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S Jordan Whitehead
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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K Chase McLaughlin
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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P Jake Camarda
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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LS Zach Triner
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
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