If a defensive tackle can record over 11 sacks combined over his first two seasons, it's usually a sign that the guy can be an excellent player for their team.
In the eyes of some …
Not for Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Calijah Kancey, though.
The former Pittsburgh product started his career well with the Buccaneers, improving his sack total from his rookie season to his second year with the team. He quickly became one of the better pass-rushing interior linemen in the league.
Despite Kancey's success, Pro Football Focus isn't exactly sold.
The biggest reason? His run defense.
PFF is calling Kancey's third season this year a make-or-break moment simply because of his run defense.
"Similar to fellow 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, Kancey hasn't lived up to his billing for Tampa Bay through two seasons in the NFL," wrote PFF writer Dalton Wasserman. "To his credit, the undersized Kancey has racked up 85 pressures since the start of 2023, a top-20 mark among defensive tackles.
"However, that's not enough to offset his dreadful 28.7 PFF run-defense grade in that span."
Here is what PFF doesn't get about Kancey's game and the Buccaneers in general.
It doesn't matter - at a critical level - if the third-year tackle isn't good against the run. His partner along the interior, Vita Vea, is considered one of the best run-stuffing linemen in the game today.
If one player is good at defending the run, and the other is good at attacking the quarterback, it's a sign that there might be enough for the defense can be good along the interior.
Do the Bucs want more out of him? Sure.
But Kancey's standing as a "make or break" player seems a little far-fetched.