How Buccaneers Star DT Calijah Kancey Plans to Elevate His Game in 2024

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 draft class performed extremely well during their rookie seasons, helping the Bucs make the playoffs and even winning their opening-round game before being bounced by the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.

Guys like DL Calijah Kancey, G Cody Mauch, DL Yaya Diaby, LB SirVocea Dennis, WR Trey Palmer, and nickel Christian Izien all played sizeable and meaningful roles on a Bucs' team that was undergoing changes as they entered a new era.

Perhaps the most impactful of these rookies was first-round pick Calijah Kancey. Kancey slotted in nicely along the Bucs' defensive line next to Vita Vea and started in all 14 games he saw action in. His stats aren't all that eye-popping, but that isn't what measures a great defensive lineman on the inside.

After dealing with a calf injury that kept him out for four games, Kancey came back strong and was able to notch a defended pass, four sacks, 26 tackles (10 tackles for loss), and 12 QB hits. If not for missing those four games, who knows what the ceiling could have looked like for Kancey.

Now, full healthy and entering his sophomore season in the NFL, Kancey gave an insight into how he plans to elevate his game in 2024 when speaking with the media following Monday's first voluntary workouts.

"My biggest goal this offseason, honestly, is just to go back and look at everything where I could've been better — something like a play where I could've made the play and didn't make it. [I am] just really oiling up everything, as far as my moves, my get off, my play recognition, everything, running to the ball. I'm just kind of working off of what I've already [done] and being better at it."

Kancey appears to want to perfect his craft as he gears up for the offseason. Improving off his rookie season would be a welcome sight for the Buccaneers, who struggled to get much pressure on opposing QBs last season. Being healthy should help with that along with the experience he gained through his 14 games played in 2023.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 offseason.

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