2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Calijah Kancey (DL – Pittsburgh)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Calijah Kancey.

Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

Calijah Kancey (DT – Pittsburgh*)

6’0” – 280 lbs.

Background:

Redshirted in 2019 aside from an appearance in the team’s bowl game, then started the last four of eleven games played in 2020, totaling 398 snaps and finishing with 27-7.0-1.5. Took over a starting job the following year and went 33-13.0-7.0, then put together a very similar line of 31-14.5-7.5 this past season.

Positives:

Highly productive two-year starter and three-year contributor. Lines up all over the defensive line, but typically plays right defensive tackle, aligning in the B-gap; despite his size, has even been asked to do some zero-technique. Really brings it on a snap-to-snap basis; high-intensity player who sets the tone defensively. Fires out of his stance low and typically wins the leverage battle. Has more functional strength and is heavier with his hands than anticipated. Able to create some movement with his bull rush, showing impressive leg drive. Sudden enough out of his stance to threaten gaps. Can knife into the backfield or walk back opposing linemen to create congestion and prevent rushing lanes from materializing. Rangy, high-motor player who pursues out to the sidelines. A technician who varies his rush approach and shows advanced hand usage and a repertoire of counters to generate pressure; has rips, swims, swipes, and spins that he regularly integrates into his game. Bends a smooth arc when coming around the edge. Closes quickly when he finds a lane. Drew some extra attention from opposing blocking schemes.

Negatives:

Small for an interior lineman and may be asked to gain another five or ten pounds at the pro level. Takes the occasional snap at end, but it would be interesting to see him work there more often as a potential candidate to kick out at the next level. Rotates off the field fairly often; more likely to play thirty or so snaps than a full game. Some balance issues crop up from time to time; intensity can sometimes cross over into playing out of control. Has a tendency to lower his head, causing him to lose track of the ball carrier at times. More effective when he’s attacking than when he’s asked to dig in at the line of scrimmage.

Summary:

Will look to follow in the footsteps of Aaron Donald, who actually had a pretty similar game as a prospect. It’s relatively rare for an undersized tackle to come off the board in the first round – Dominique Easley comes to mind – but makes a big impact on a snap-to-snap basis, with an excellent combination of intensity, functional strength, technique, and versatility that could easily make him a starter at the next level. Best in a one-gap, attacking defense where he’s allowed to create disruption.

Projection: Round 2