Calijah Kancey won't always be the defensive lineman who finishes a game with the most tackles or sacks. That does not mean his contributions are any less important. His value starts inside, where controlling gaps, absorbing blocks, and making life difficult for opposing offensive lines can determine whether the defense holds up against the run.

Kancey's performance against Atlanta is another example of why he matters defensively. He finished with three solo tackles, one assisted tackle in Tampa Bay's 16-0 shutout. Those numbers don't tell the full story of an interior defensive lineman's responsibilities, especially in a game where the Buccaneers needed their defensive front to control Atlanta's offense. The dirty work begins before a tackle ever happens. Interior defenders must occupy blockers, keep offensive linemen from reaching the second level, and keep running backs from finding clean lanes between the tackles. When Kancey holds his ground and forces the offense to account for him, it gives linebackers like Alex Anzalone and the rest of the front seven a better chance to get downhill and finish plays.

That is especially important in Todd Bowles' defense. Linebackers need to read the play and attack without offensive linemen consistently climbing to the second level untouched. If the defensive tackles can disrupt blocking assignments and keep the interior from being moved, the entire unit benefits. Kancey's quickness and ability to penetrate also give Tampa Bay another way to disrupt an offense's timing before a running play has time to develop. Defenders still pay plenty of attention to Kancey's pass-rushing ability, and for good reason. But you can't measure his importance solely by quarterback pressures or sacks. Tampa Bay needs him to be a disruptive presence against the run, too, particularly against opponents that want to establish their identity through the ground game. The Buccaneers have gotten major contributions from their defensive backs and linebackers, but the work up front makes those plays possible. Kancey does not have to fill the stat sheet every Sunday to be valuable. If he occupies blockers, controls his assignment, and lets the players behind him make plays, he is doing an important part of his job.