When Sheldon Rankins entered free agency, he was looking at three things: scheme fit, opportunity and vision.
The former Saints defensive lineman got all of that and more when he agreed to sign a two-year deal worth up to $17 million with the Jets over the weekend.
Robert Saleh played a big factor in that decision. New York’s first-year head coach won Rankins over with his recruiting pitch and sold him on joining forces with Quinnen Williams and Carl Lawson across Gang Green’s defensive front.
“When he called me and expressed his interest and how much he really wanted me to be a part of this and the vision he had for me and Quinnen inside and Carl out on the edge, it got me fired up,” Rankins said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday. “It made me want to be a part of something special.”
Rankins showed flashes of brilliance during his time in New Orleans, where he began his career in 2016. But he has been unable to consistently stay on the field.
While Rankins fractured his fibula during his rookie campaign, he returned to the fold for an impressive sophomore season. He then recorded career-highs in sacks (8) and tackles (40) in 2018 but was dealt another blow, tearing his Achilles in the divisional round of the playoffs. Rankins has since dealt with more ankle and knee injuries over the past two seasons.
Rankins knows what he’s capable of when he can stay healthy and he believes that the Jets think of him similarly. While he’s been frustrated by the injuries, he seems to be quite optimistic about what lies ahead.
“I needed a team to see me as the player that I saw myself as and I think I got that with the Jets,” Rankins said. “So, when all those things lined up and I obviously spoke with everybody in the building and saw what we’re capable of building and saw what they’re already building, I jumped on board.”