With the Jets set to pick 15th in the 2023 NFL Draft, let's take a look at one prospect who may be a target: Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey.
By The Numbers
- Height: 6-foot-1
- Weight: 281 pounds
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.67
- Vertical: 33.5 inches
- Bench: N/A
- Broad Jump: N/A
- 2022 Stats (11 games played): 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks
Prospect Overview
NFL.com: Undersized, one-gapping defensive tackle who is explosive and productive. He’s a strong and determined player, but Kancey is still going to be a hit-or-miss run defender due to his lack of mass and length. While he will get pushed around at times, his first-step quickness and short memory allow him to make tackles in the backfield. He’s a nightmare for offenses as a pass rusher. His twitchy feet can slide and reset points of attack. His leverage and motor are often too much for guards to handle alone. Kancey might be most effective as a rotational run defender and full-time, sub-package rusher, but his size will not define him in the NFL.
The Draft Network: Kancey is a spark plug on the interior of the defensive line. He plays with incredible urgency and fires into the neutral zone with quickness and intent. He’s extremely physical and tough, willing to exchange power with blockers that have 30-plus pounds on him on a weekly basis. He does well to take advantage of his quickness and built-in leverage to win with first contact, shoot gaps, and work to the edges of blocks. Kancey is slippery working off contact and he’s pretty flexible. Overall, his contact balance is very impressive given his size.