Aaron Donald 2.0? Rams Meet With 'Freakish' Pittsburgh DT Calijah Kancey
While Aaron Donald confirmed he will return for the 2023 season, his future beyond that remains uncertain, meaning the Los Angeles Rams could be in the market for another similarly skilled defensive lineman - if there is such a thing.
And in their search for a potential Donald heir, the Rams have reportedly taken to Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, and are one of a handful of teams to have met with the fast-rising prospect.
A 6-foot-1, 281-pound standout. defensive tackle out of Donald's alma mater, Pitt. Kancey took the NFL world by storm earlier this month at the combine, posting a 4.67 40-yard dash.
That time alone is impressive for someone of Kancey's size, but it also broke Donald's previous record for a defensive tackle of 4.68 seconds and is the fastest at the position since 2000.
Kancey has also been described by NFL analysts as 'undersized' and as possessing 'freakish athleticism'.
Which, if you are a Rams fan, is something you have certainly seen before...
With that said, drafting Kancey and expecting him to be Donald 2.0 would not be realistic, but developing under the tutelage of arguably the NFL's best defensive player, would certainly be a desirable situation for all parties involved.
One look at the stats for Kancey at Pitt and the potential is clear.
He recorded 31 total tackles in his final season, including a whopping 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as he showed an ability to wreak havoc in opposing backfields.
What the Rams ultimately do with the No. 36 pick is yet to be seen, with several mock drafts linking them to help along the offensive line.
After Kancey's combine performance, though, he could shoot up draft boards and become a name to watch for the Rams this April.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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