Eagles Take Pitt DT Calijah Kancey in First Round of New Mock Draft
PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey's draft stock continues to hold steady, with the start of the first round just a day away. He is projected by most to be either a late-first round or early-second round selection and that's exactly where All Steelers draft analyst Derrick Bell has Kancey falling.
Bell projects the standout Pitt defender to be taken right on the edge of the first round at pick No. 30 by the Philadelphia Eagles, who are seeking to reload the interior of their defensive line after losing Javon Hargrave in free agency. They take Nolan Smith with their first pick at No. 10 and pair him with Kancey late in the first round.
"I gave the Eagles an EDGE rusher earlier and we’re going back to the well again to address the trenches with the second of their two first round picks," Bell wrote. "Javon Hargrave cashed out in free agency and there are some similarities between him and Calijah Kancey, both smaller in stature but outstanding pass rushers nonetheless."
Bell understands the size concerns, which aren't insignificant, but feels that pairing Kancey with hulking 2022 first-rounder Jordan Davis will help alleviate some of those concerns and help Kancey thrive.
"[Kancey’s] a historical outlier in terms of size and length for the positon but lining up next to Jordan Davis could make up for some of his deficiencies defending the run," "He’s probably the most polished pass rusher in the class and teams would struggle to find ways to block this defensive line with him added to the mix."
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