Tag: Calijah Kancey

Texans grab Pitt DT Calijah Kancey in NFL.com 3-round mock draft

The Houston Texans invest in the defensive line with Pitt DT Calijah Kancey in the latest NFL.com three-round mock draft.

The Houston Texans need help on defense, too.

While the focus of the Texans’ No. 2 overall pick in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL draft may focus on quarterback, the twin first-rounder at No. 12 overall — a gift from the 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns — has a myriad of possibilities.

According to Chad Reuter from NFL.com, the Texans use that extra first-rounder to take Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.

Kancey could be a top-10 pick because of his strength at the point of attack and quickness. But we’ve seen other smaller tackles land in the middle of the first, such as when Aaron Donald went 13th overall in 2014. New Texans coach DeMeco Ryans is quite familiar with Donald’s game from his years in San Francisco, so you have think he’d love to add a playmaker like Kancey on what will be a revamped Houston defensive line in 2023.

Adding Kancey that early in the draft would indicate the club wants a playmaker up front on defense. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins did well playing as the three-technique in Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme, tallying 3.5 sacks along with nine tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits. Houston also has 2021 sixth-round defensive tackle Roy Lopez, who generated 1.0 sack, six tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and a safety last season.

The rest of the draft is rather puzzling as Houston takes Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave at No. 33 overall in Round 2. The Texans drafted Brevin Jordan in Round 5 in 2021 and later took Teagan Quitoriano in Round 5 in 2022. Houston also found some value in Jordan Akins’ production last season.

Houston finishes the third round taking Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah with No. 65 overall in Round 5. The Texans traded their other third-round selection via the Browns to the Chicago Bears as part of a package to take Alabama quarterback Bryce Young No. 1 overall.

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Bengals go surprise route in new 2023 NFL mock draft

An unexpected route for the Bengals in a new mock draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t strangers to a best-player available approach in the NFL draft and at times, panicking and drafting for need has resulted in big misses (see: Billy Price).

So while offensive line, cornerback and tight end look like major needs before free agency, there’s always a chance they hit a position of strength in the first round out of sheer value.

That’s just what the Bengals do by taking Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey at No. 28 in a new mock draft from NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein:

“Let’s step outside of the box here. Kancey is right at 280 pounds but is ridiculously explosive with A+ rush talent. He can’t play every down, but he can impact games from the interior.”

The biggest problem here is that Kancey is a surefire bet to keep rising up draft boards, especially when he charts near some uber-productive NFL names:

But besides that, this would be an amazing pick for the Bengals. The defensive line already boasts one of the best nose tackles in football with DJ Reader. In a dream scenario, a prospect like Kancey could come in and add a Geno Atkins-styled rush next to him.

Adding Kancey to a rotation with the likes of B.J. Hill and Zach Carter would have a positive ripple effect on the entire defense. Provided they hit other needs in free agency, the Bengals would net an A grade for this one.

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Browns bolster their putrid front seven in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft

A front seven makeover for Jim Schwartz

The Cleveland Browns are handing over the defensive reigns to new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz hoping to turn around that unit. The Browns’ current roster aligns well with what he asks his defensive backs to do. But if the team wants a total defensive turnaround the defensive line and front seven need improvement.

This draft has plenty of options and fun prospects along the defensive line and is a much better defensive tackle class than last year’s. The Browns will likely attack the interior defensive line in free agency by adding some young pieces through the draft.

Now for this week’s seven-round Browns mock draft.

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New prospect mocked to Vikings in latest CBS Sports Mock Draft

The Vikings have had 32 different players mocked to them this mock draft season. On Tuesday the are sent a 33rd prospect from CBS Sports

As free agency and the NFL draft approaches, it remains unclear which route the Minnesota Vikings will take with their first pick. In fact, the Vikings have been mocked 73 different players through the first four weeks of 2023.

On Wednesday, Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports tried to pinpoint a position the Vikings could look at in his latest mock draft by having them select Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey.

“Kancey’s a smaller defensive tackle, but has major juice and a developed set of pass-rush moves. He’s the type Minnesota needs on the interior.”

The Vikings currently have a need on the defensive line since Dalvin Tomlinson and Jonathan Bullard are slated to become free agents unless the two sides can reach an agreement. While Kancey is a bit smaller than Tomlinson, he’d fill a need along the defensive line. It’s not a sexy pick, but with many holes on the roster, the Vikings may not have much of a choice.

Eagles land 2 dynamic defenders in Mel Kiper’s first 2023 NFL mock draft

Mel Kiper released his first NFL mock draft of 2023 and he has the Philadelphia Eagles reloading with two impact defenders

The 2023 NFL draft is fast approaching and even with the Eagles preparing for the NFC Championship Game, scouts within the organization are doing their due diligence on potential prospects.

Thanks to some draft night wizardry from Howie Roseman, the Eagles traded the No. 16 overall pick, No. 19 overall pick, and a 2022 sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for the No. 18 overall pick, a 2022 third-round pick, a 2022 seventh-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.

We tracked the Eagles’ picks via Tankathon, and after New Orleans went 7-10, Philadelphia locked down a top-ten selection.

ESPN’s legendary draft guru, Mel Kiper, Just released his first mock draft of 2023, and he has Philadelphia reloading on defense with their two first-round picks.

Player spotlight: Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey

Player spotlight: Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey

Tennessee (1-0) will host Pittsburgh (1-0) Saturday at Neyland Stadium in the Johnny Majors Classic.

The Volunteers will face a Panthers’ player who received national recognition for his play in Week 1.

Pittsburgh sophomore Calijah Kancey was named to the Pro Football Focus Team of the Week after his play in the Panthers’, 51-7, victory over UMass.

Kancey, a defensive lineman, recorded five tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack against the Minutemen.

He recorded 27 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and one sack as a freshman for Pittsburgh last season.

SEC power rankings following Week 1

Tennessee football: How Vols’ opponents fared in Week 1

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