The Jets have solidified their defensive front.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, New York and former Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins have agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $17 million. The Cincinnati Bengals also made a strong push for Rankins, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Rankins was picked 12th overall out of Louisville by the Saints in the 2016 NFL draft. He missed seven games his rookie year after he broke his fibula in training camp. Rankins then didn’t miss a game in 2017 and almost made it through all of the 2018 season healthy. He started every game that season on his way to a career year, but Rankins tore his Achilles in the divisional round of the playoffs and had to undergo season-ending surgery.
Rankins dealt with an injury to his other Achilles that limited him to just 10 games in 2019. He had to undergo surgery again to prevent further issues to that Achilles. Rankins returned from injury in 2020 and played in 12 games with one start.
Before the injuries, Rankins was developing into a solid player. He recorded career-highs in sacks (8) and tackles (40) in 2018. Rankins has 116 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, 44 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, three pass defenses and one interception in his career.
Rankins will join a defensive front four of Quinnen Williams, Carl Lawson, and Folorunso Fatukasi in Robert Saleh’s defense.