Buccaneers make expected Calijah Kancey move after NFL Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a third-round surprise and received good grades in the 2026 NFL Draft. Then they made their expected Calijah Kancey move after the dust settled, according to buccaneers.com.

“On Monday, the Buccaneers picked up the option year on Kancey’s original NFL pact, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season,” Scott Smith wrote. “As the 19th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Kancey received the same contract structure that every first-round selection has received since the 2011 CBA: four years with a team option for a fifth year.

“That option must be exercised by a deadline in the spring prior to the player’s fourth season. This year, that deadline was May 1. The fifth-year option includes a significant increase in the player’s salary for that season.”

The Buccaneers drafted Kancey No. 19 overall in 2023. He was limited to just three games last season because of injuries. He finished 10th in the AP defensive rookie of the year voting in 2023.

Buccaneers hoping draft turned things around

The Buccaneers went with an edge rusher for their first pick of the draft. They grabbed Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 15, which some NFL observers labeled as a steal.

With Vita Vea still in the middle of the defense, a return of a healthy Kancey could help the Buccaneers’ defense get solid. Elijah Roberts and A’ Shawn Robinson are also in the mix, along with Kancey.

Bain heads the linebacker group with Yaya Diaby on the other edge.

The Buccaneers added linebacker Josiah Trotter in Round 2 of the draft. They also augmented the defensive line by selecting DeMonte Capeheart in Round 5.

Overall, the draft seemed to work well for the Buccaneers, according to NFL.com.

“Tampa Bay was giddy to find Bain still waiting in the green room in the middle of the first round,” Reuter wrote. “He should be one of the top defenders in the draft class, wreaking havoc inside and outside in the Buccaneers’ defensive system.”