Buccaneers Agree to Contract With First-Round NFL Draft Pick Calijah Kancey
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took two steps toward securing their rookie class by agreeing to deals with first-round defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and third-round outside linebacker YaYa Diaby.
Kancey's deal with the Buccaneers includes $14.7 million guaranteed, $7.7 million in signing bonus, and also includes other bonuses worth around $1 million according to reports.
READ MORE: Buccaneers' Star Wide Receiver Traded for Saquon Barkley in NFL Projected Trade
The defensive tackle will count for $2.6 million against the Bucs' salary cap with that number growing over the three seasons following 2023.
Tampa Bay will have to make their decision on his fifth-year option following the 2025 season during the 2026 league year.
Diaby's current year cap hit will be $993 thousand and grows to $1.38 million in 2026.
These moves, along with the addition of kicker Rodrigo Blankenship earlier this week bring the Buccaneers to the edge of their Top 51 cap space.
READ MORE: Lavonte David Comments on Devin White
The top 51 salary cap only accounts for the 51-highest priced contracts for now allowing more flexibility for NFL teams to sign rookies and free agents as needed.
Ahead of the regular season, the initial 53-man roster will count against the cap, and teams will have to be cap compliant at that time.
This means a restructured contract or two could be in the works as we speak.
Of course, the Buccaneers could also look to extend star receiver Mike Evans and swallow his upcoming void years in a new deal that helps spread cap hits down the road further than they already are.
Currently, if Evans is not a member of the Bucs after his current contract expires next offseason the team will be hit with a $12 million-plus dead cap hit.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the season.
