Calijah Kancey made a positive impression in his limited Combine participation and not just because of his connection with future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
At 281 pounds he was timed in 4.67 seconds in the 40 – the fastest for any player at his position. His 40 time alone likely makes him a prospect who interests the Lions.
He did not do other drills because he recently recovered from a shoulder injury.
Kancey, like Donald before him, played at Pittsburgh. He has developed a relationship with Donald.
Donald entered the NFL in 2014 at 6-1, 285 pounds. He was the Rams' first-round draft pick. His Combine 40 time was 4.68.
Donald is a model for Kancey.
"I definitely watch his tape," Kancey said in his Combine interview. "He's a great mentor. He's a great guy."
Following is a preview of the 2023 defensive tackle draft strength, the Lions' depth and draft priority at the position, and five prospects who could interest the Lions.
View photos of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) waves to the crowd before the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game between Georgia and TCU, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter warms up before an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Pittsburgh defenders Calijah Kancey (8) and Deslin Alexandre (5) celebrate a safety during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 19-9. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (11) runs onto the field at the start of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin nose tackle Keeanu Benton plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Wisconsin defensive lineman Keeanu Benton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika stands on the field during an NCAA college football game against Albany in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan defensive lineman Mazi Smith (58) plays against Connecticut in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive lineman Mazi Smith stands on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Bowling Green defensive lineman Karl Brooks (11) catches the ball during an NCAA football game against UCLA on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Bowling Green defensive lineman Karl Brooks (44) rushes on defense at Akron quarterback Kato Nelson (1) in the first half during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Bowling Green, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Defensive tackle draft strength: Not as deep as defensive ends, and a falloff after Jalen Carter.
Lions' depth, draft priority: Solid with Isaiah Buggs and Alim McNeill anchoring the middle. Jalen Carter would be too good to pass. Kancey is a potential pick at No 18.
Five prospects who could interest the Lions:
(40-yard dash times are from Combine and Pro Day workouts as available.)
1. Jalen Carter, Georgia:
6-3, 314.
A three-year player, quickly established a reputation for disrupting offenses. Played 38 career games. He had 18.5 career tackles for loss, with 15.5 in his last two seasons. Also, six career sacks.
Bottom line: Some draft analysts rank him as the top prospect in the draft, regardless of position. However, draft position will be affected by issues off the field.
2. Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh:
6-1, 281. 4.67 40.
A four-year player, one game in 2019, 36 in the next three. Got better year by year as the stats show – 34.5 tackles for loss with 27.5 last two seasons; 16 sacks, 14.5 last two seasons.
Bottom line: Height and weight may not be ideal for a defensive tackle, but stats and production are. I picked the Lions to take him at No. 18 in my Mock draft 3.0. I see no reason to change my mind.
3. Bryan Bresee, Clemson:
6-5 1/2, 298. 4.86 40.
A three-year player, he was limited to four games in 2021 and 10 in 2022. In 26 games with 21 starts, Bresee had 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks and five passes defended.
Bottom line: Opinions vary widely on his draft position, from the middle of the first round to the middle of the second.
View photos of NFL prospect Calijah Kancey.
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) watches as the team warms up an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) sacks Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) waits for a play to start during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) plays against Miami during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey stands on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Nov. 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Kancey, a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award given to the top defensive player in the country, is the latest in a long line of Pitt defensive linemen who have carved a path to the NFL, a list that includes Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, file)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey relaxes during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) plays against Miami during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
FILE - Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) plays against Miami during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Kancey was named the AP All-ACC defensive player of the year, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Pittsburgh defenders Calijah Kancey (8) and Deslin Alexandre (5) celebrate a safety during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 19-9. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey takes part in the NCAA college football team's NFL Pro Day in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
4. Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin:
6-4, 309. 5.08 40.
Four-year player, 45 career games played with 38 in three seasons and seven in the 2020 Covid season. Posted 19 career tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Set his personal bests in both in 2022 – 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Bottom line: A durable, productive, consistent player.
5. Siaki Ika, Baylor:
6-3, 355. 5.39 40.
Transferred to Baylor after two seasons at LSU and made an immediate impact. Posted 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in his first season with the Bears.
Bottom line: Ika played 13 games for national champion LSU in 2019-20. Posted 17 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss as a freshman. Announced his intent to transfer after four games in 2020.
