Back in April, Bucs general manager Jason Licht added some defensive reinforcements by selecting defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the first round and outside linebacker YaYa Diaby in the third round. While the team had to wait a few weeks into the regular season to start seeing a return on those investments, they are now starting to pay off.

Since returning from a right calf injury that held him out of training camp and the preseason, Kancey has begun to blossom as a run-stuffer and someone who can pressure the quarterback. In Diaby’s case, he has been making the most of his snaps in recent weeks and has developed to the point of being deserving of more playing time.

For both rookies, it is clear that they are just getting started and that the best is yet to come.

Meet The Bucs’ Rising Defensive Star – Calijah Kancey

Starting with Calijah Kancey, it is clear that after just six NFL games he has already shown enough promise to solidify himself as the next star for the Buccaneers defense.

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Not only did he have a coming-out party in his first full game returning from his right calf injury against the Lions, but Kancey has further emerged over the last two weeks against the Texans and Titans.

In the past two games alone, Kancey has recorded seven tackles, five being for a loss. Not only has he been apt in stuffing ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage, but he has also shown a propensity for being able to get to the quarterback.

Kancey has had multiple quarterback pressures in five of his six games, including the Bucs’ season opener against the Vikings where Kancey had just 11 snaps before exiting. The game that stands out most on film came against the Lions in Week 6, where he had six pressures and a sack on quarterback Jared Goff. Kancey added another sack in Houston against C.J. Stroud two weeks ago.

After the Titans game this past Sunday, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles spoke on how Calijah Kancey has been progressing in pairing alongside nose tackle Vita Vea and alluded to the versatility he provides upfront.

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: USA Today

“He’s still aggressive on the inside,” Bowles said. “He makes the edge rushers better because [opponents are] trying to double team him and Vita [Vea] on the inside, so we gotta get home on the outside. Getting comfortable with the system. We understand where he is. He can do a lot of things for us and we haven’t opened up his whole bag of tricks yet.”

After missing some time due to injury, Kancey has wasted none of it getting up to speed and into a groove. “I’m definitely starting to get into my groove as far as picking up the physical reps and going against different opponents, and just playing, Kancey said after Sunday’s win over the Titans. “I feel like I’m definitely getting in my groove.”

Todd Bowles knows that the team has a keeper with Calijah Kancey and that he is just starting to find his way. “I know he’s a keeper,” Bowles added. “I thought he was a keeper when we got him, but I think he’s just scratching the surface. I think there’s a lot more to him.”

YaYa Diaby Has A Bright Future, Quickly Earning More Playing Time

YaYa Diaby had to earn his way into the NFL, taking a journey less traveled and a path that earned him some national love before the season. Similarly, Diaby has had to earn his reps in the Bucs’ outside linebacker rotation, and the team surely has loved him making the most of them.

Bucs OLB YaYa Diaby and Titans RB Derrick Henry – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While Diaby has not started a game yet, his time may be coming. He has already started to get more playing time and has made his way into the timeshare between Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and Anthony Nelson.

Bucs OLB YaYa Diaby – Photo by: USA Today

“That’s the thing we’re struggling with right now is trying to find an ideal role for him because he is getting better week-in and week-out,” Rodgers said. “But, being a young player, you don’t want to overload him from that standpoint. Now you’re an outside linebacker – you drop, you’ve got a seam, too, and then you’ve got to rush.

“Now, we’re going to put you inside in the rush to just help get you on the field. But then it becomes too much. We don’t want to stunt him. We like the progress he is making, so you don’t want to stunt him by overloading him, but this guy has a bright future.”