The Cincinnati Bengals could go a number of ways in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Defensive line, though, seems unlikely. After all, the Bengals haven’t drafted a defensive lineman in the opening round of a draft since Justin Smith in the early 2000s.
Is Calijah Kancey the one to change that? Kancey is one of the toughest draft prospects in the class to project because he’s “small” with “short arms,” yet has some Geno Atkins-styled hype to the way he can rush the passer from the interior.
He’s the No. 1 player on our Bengals big board for a reason.
Here’s a quick profile of Kancey.
Background
Finished up the Calijah Kancey:
I have no idea how he isn’t a consensus top 10 pick. If you run a 4-3 front, you should WANT him on your team.
His hand usage is out of this world. The bag is deep. Club/swim, rips, cross/chop. Stacks moves, with a nasty spin to the inside. pic.twitter.com/fbqv2LcyhP
— Luke Grant (@LukeGrant7) April 18, 2023
Kancey was a redshirt at Pittsburgh before starting in four games his second year. He had 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks the season after, then first-team AP All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year with 14.5 tackles for loss with 7.5 sacks in 11 starts.
Numbers to know
Calijah Kancey is a DT prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.59 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 67 out of 1623 DT from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/l47JwJCLK7 pic.twitter.com/DyusOiTL21
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 23, 2023
Measurables: 6’1″, 280 pounds
Testing: 4.67 40-yard dash, 98 athleticism Score
Stats (three seasons): 19 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, 64 quarterback hurries, 63 tackles, 63 stops
2023 PFF grade: 91.8
Expert's take
On @nflnetwork, potential first-round DT Calijah Kancey mentioned he received ZERO requests for a 30 visit with NFL teams.
A ton of praise for him answering the question with a positive outlook.
It actually might not be a bad thing for Kancey’s stock.
(🎥: @nflnetwork) pic.twitter.com/B1xi2pByNJ
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 20, 2023
Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar ranks Kancey as the draft’s 11th overall prospect:
Conclusion: Kancey is more than just a fun story because he amazed at the combine, or because he has so many splash plays for his size. He is a legitimate disruptor everywhere from edge to nose shade, though his ideal spot in the NFL would be as a three-tech tackle who can just frustrate blockers all day with his enviable combination of strength and quickness. Put him there, let him do his Tasmanian Devil thing every week, and prepare to reap the rewards.
Our take
Calijah Kancey came to Pitt as a three-star defensive tackle who had few other Power 5 offers.
He leaves Pitt a Unanimous All-American and potential first round NFL draft pick who has already garnered comparisons to Aaron Donald and John Randle. https://t.co/fEzuk8lT4b
— Amanda Godsey (@AmandaFGodsey) April 19, 2023
The Bengals need to sprint to the podium if Kancey is available late in the first. He’s a super-disruptor with proven production. “Small” or not, he’d be fantastic in a rotation with B.J. Hill next to DJ Reader. Like Geno Atkins, he’s got the potential to be the centerpiece a team builds an entire defense around.
