NFL veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins signed a new contract with the Houston Texans. Rankins, a former first-round pick, spent the 2022 season with the New York Jets but has also played for the New Orleans Saints.
The #Texans have signed DT Sheldon Rankins to a one-year, $10.5 million deal, source says. DeMeco Ryans gets a big piece for his defensive front. After two years with the #Jets, Rankins heads to Houston. pic.twitter.com/vYA93fN4u4
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 15, 2023
Sheldon Rankins, Houston Texans, Agree to Contract
Rankins is coming off of a 2022 season that saw him put together another strong season of play on one of the best defenses in football. Starting and appearing in 15 games, the seven-year pro finished the season with three sacks, 43 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, seven quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.
Rankins originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Selected by the New Orleans Saints, Rankins’ first year in the league was something of a mixed bag. Appearing in just nine games without making a single start, the defensive tackle finished his first season in the league with four sacks, 20 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and six quarterback hits.
The Louisville product earned a larger role in Year 2, becoming a full 16-game starter on Sean Payton’s defense. During his time on the field, Rankins recorded two sacks, 26 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, nine quarterback hits, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Rankins followed this up with the best season of his career. Starting in all 16 games during the regular season, the defensive tackle recorded a career-high eight sacks, 40 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, 15 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble as the Saints made it all the way to the 2018 NFC Championship Game.
Following his impressive season, the Saints picked up the fifth-year option in Rankins’ contract, keeping him in town until the end of the 2020 season. Unfortunately, injuries struck, and the defensive tackle finished the 2019 and 2020 seasons on the injured reserve.
After hitting free agency for the first time in his career, Sheldon Rankins signed a contract with the New York Jets. During his first year in the Big Apple, Rankins recorded three sacks, 32 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, seven quarterback hits, and two fumble recoveries while playing in 16 games and making three starts.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports
