The Viking Age
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7 defensive lineman the Vikings could draft in 2023

By Nik Edlund

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Calijah Kancey #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after sacking Kasim Hill #8 of the Rhode Island Rams during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Calijah Kancey #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after sacking Kasim Hill #8 of the Rhode Island Rams during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings
Calijah Kancey (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Calijah Kancey, (Pittsburgh)

Measurements:

  • Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 281 lbs.

2022 Stats:

  • 31 total tackles
  • 14.5 tackles for a loss
  • 7.5 sacks

Calijah Kancey is a guy who has skyrocketed up draft boards the last month to the point where many believe he could be selected in the top 20 picks. He is lightning-quick off the ball, is quick to change direction, and closes in extremely fast. He is a matchup nightmare against interior blockers and if used correctly, will have an instant impact on the team that drafts him.

Kancey’s biggest knock is his size. He’s small for an interior defender and he also has below-average arm length. He could get swallowed up by NFL guards, who are much more experienced and technically savvy than the ones he faced in college.

It’s been a long time since the Minnesota Vikings have had an impact defensive tackle. Tom Johnson would flash from time to time, but it hasn’t been since Kevin Williams that the Vikings have fielded a consistent interior disruptor. Kancey can be that man. He won’t be used as a traditional five-technique as he doesn’t have the body for that, but Brian Flores could line him up out wide, or even bring him inside and let him attack against some slower guards who he can get the jump on.

Kancey would be a huge score for the Vikings if he fell to them at pick 23. The interior pressure he could create would make life much easier for the secondary and even create more opportunities for the Vikings’ edge rushers to hit the quarterback.

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