The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have a playmaker on their hands for years to come.
ESPN writers Matt Miller and Matt Bowen compiled a list of players in what they called the “all-youngster team”— that is, the best players in the league under 24 years old. There are some great players on the list, but the Bucs were represented with a second-team nod for defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who was put behind the Eagles duo of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis and alongside Steelers DT Keeanu Benton.
Here is what the list had to say about Kancey:
Kancey has played in only eight games this season, but watch the recent tape of the rookie first-rounder. His initial first step off the ball pops, and Kancey can create disruption behind the line of scrimmage. He has three sacks and 16 pressures on the season, and I expect the production to elevate over the final six weeks.
Kancey has indeed been impressive even since he first took the field in Week 1, generating pressure on Vikings QB Kirk Cousins multiple times within his first 11 snaps. Kancey has shown prowess in the pass-rushing game, but his run defense could use some work — he currently holds a 32.8 grade in that area from Pro Football Focus. Nonetheless, Kancey has been productive for the defense as a whole and he could get the opportunity to increase that production against (theoretically) lesser competition in the coming weeks.
