Surprise pick at number one in this 2023 NFL mock draft
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive Interior. Calijah Kancey. 866. . 10. player
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
Calijah Kancey is 6’1″ and weighs 281 pounds, a little undersized for most but still a very productive interior defensive lineman and is considered by some scouts as the fourth-best defensive lineman in the NFL Draft.
In his last two seasons at Illinois, he produced a total of 85 quarterback pressures, resulting in 49 total hurries and 17 sacks. Eye-popping numbers for an interior defensive lineman. He was voted to multiple All-American teams and a finalist for several collegiate awards, winning the College Football Network’s National Defensive Tackle of the Year.
In 2020, Kancey’s freshman year, he was voted to the Freshman All-American teams for the Football Writers Association of America, Rivals, and The Athletic and first-team All-ACC in 2021.
The Philadelphia Eagles still have last year’s first-round pick Jordan Davis but the way this draft board lining up, Kancey is the best available and you can never have too much depth along the defensive line, plus the Eagles did lose Javon Hargrave to free agency.
The Aaron Donald comparisons are already flying in as well. With the measurables and college production similarities, I can see why, not to mention both coming from Pittsburgh. Time will tell but he projects well at the next level, even if considered undersized for the position.