Home NFL Were The Buccaneers Wrong to Select Calijah Kancey?

Should the Buccaneers have drafted quarterback Will Levis instead of defensive lineman Calijah Kancey?

Were The Buccaneers Wrong to Select Calijah Kancey?

November 4, 2023

So, Will Levis? I am on record as being very anti-Will Levis for the Buccaneers in the first round. I thought he had all the problems of Anthony Richardson without Richardson’s huge upside. And in two games against very solid defenses (yes it feels weird saying Falcons have a solid defense), he mostly delivered. Now, the Atlanta game could be chocked up on not having a lot of game film on him, but he still looked good against Pittsburgh, even if the stats may not show it. This of course begs the question of if the Bucs made the wrong move.

—

Now, I saw from someone on Twitter (unfortunately couldn’t find who said it) that said the Bucs were high on Levis. I just think that Calijah Kancey was higher for them due to his high ceiling as a shit-wrecker. That being said, Kancey hasn’t quite gotten to that point yet. in four games, he has 4 tackles and one sack. Now, he does have the second highest pressure rate at 13.3%, which is good. But it would always be better to get sacks, and while I think those will come with time.

Part of the reason some people are talking about Levis being on the Buccaneers is the fact the QB play has looked worse these past few weeks. Baker Mayfield has not looked like the greatest, even if it isn’t all his fault. When there have been reads that he could make, he has missed them. One thing I was super impressed by with Will Levis so far is his poise in the pocket. There was a play he got off while being absolutely obliterated in the pocket. Hell, the whole time Thursday, he was getting absolutely mauled and he hung in there to make the play. And one thing he has learned to do, it is target his best WR. He has completed over 60% of his passes, has 4 tds, and 500 yards. Not only that, but he managed it against two defenses that have been good.

—

At the end of the day, my serious answer here is that it is far too early to tell whether Levis is truly that guy. However, all evidence suggests the Titans may have found somebody. I don’t think he will be the next Patrick Mahomes, but even being a good QB is invaluable to a franchise. If he becomes a good one, that is easily more valuable than a really good pass rusher.

Make sure you check out Devin’s blog at cannoncrunch.wordpress.com.