A guy the vast majority of NFL sophists are overlooking or ignoring when writing 2024 previews is Calijah Kancey.
And it seems an SI.com NFL columnist agrees with Joe.
When looking at the Tampa Bay roster for the next great stud, Matt Verderame sees 2023 first-round pick Kancey as that guy at defensive tackle.
The Buccaneers spent a first-round pick on the University of Pittsburgh defensive tackle in 2023 and watched as he registered four sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits as a rookie.
Historically speaking, even the best defensive tackles don’t see their stats pop until their second seasons. In Kansas City, Chris Jones only had two sacks as a rookie before notching 6.5 his sophomore year. Jeffery Simmons only had five in his first two seasons combined before increasing to 8.5 in his third year.
It takes time, but Kancey flashed all the necessary tools.
Kancey was drafted with a reputation of being a pass rusher only but stats suggest this cannot be further from the truth. From his quarterback hits to his tackles behind the line of scrimmage to his stops against success runs, which is one of the best in the NFL.
And remember, Kancey did all of this in just 14 games after missing virtually all of training camp with a calf injury.
If Kancey gets a full training camp under his belt and stays healthy, he might really become a terror this fall.
