If you had told me prior to the draft that the Saints would have Laremy Tunsil and Myles Jack available at 12 I wouldn’t have believed you. But after Tunsil’s questionable video and Jack’s medical concerns, I can’t blame the Saints for filling a massive need and taking the safest pick. That’s the defensive tackle, Sheldon Rankins of Louisiville, who I had in my final mock as the Saints’ pick. Me and everyone else. It’s a very solid pick because Rankins helps the interior pass rush, something that’s insanely deficient on the Saints. The pocket push improves their pass rush immediately.
Here’s his write up on NFL.com:
STRENGTHS
Powerfully built lower half with very good strength. Is extremely compact, but still flexible and very athletic. Everything he does is explosive. Fires into blockers and can jolt and displace them with a combination of leverage and power. Strong base provides excellent balance to battle against double teams or down blocks. At times, will absolutely own finesse blockers. Elite foot quickness for interior defender. Will be difficult to hook or crossface for NFL offensive linemen because of his lateral quickness. Plays with powerful, violent hands. Can play in 2-gap or 1-gap scheme and did just that at Louisville. Plays through the blocker reading and shedding on time to make tackles against the run. Loose, explosive hips that allow him to win edge battles and turn the corner as pass rusher and potentially excel in twist game. Highly productive pass rusher in each of the last two season. Bloodhound with great instincts to diagnose and shutdown screens.
WEAKNESSES
Undersized for full-time interior position by NFL standards. Flashes quite a bit on tape, but many of his victims lacked the strength that hell see from NFL guards. Despite having decent arm length, is hardly long-levered and could struggle to turn the corner against an NFL redirect block once he gets on a guards edge. Average secondary rush when his initial charge is stymied. Scouts believe he could lose some quickness if he tries to bulk up to prepare for rigors of NFL interior play. Some teams are concerned about his lack of overall size which could hurt his stock.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Round 1
SOURCES TELL US
“Our area scout really likes him a lot and he’s already angling for us to consider him, but he falls outside of the physical parameters of what we want from inside guys. I see him as only a 4-3 nose for a one-gap defense and that’s the only fit.” — Former Louisville defensive tackle Brandon Dunn
NFL COMPARISON
Grady Jarrett
BOTTOM LINE
Everything about Rankins game screams winning football player. He has been extremely productive as a bullrusher and edge rusher and he can hold the point of attack or play in gaps. Rankins is a ball of power with rare foot quickness, a great motor and outstanding feel for his position. With so many teams playing in subpackages now, I would expect both 4-3 and 3-4 teams to consider him for an interior spot despite his shorter stature. Thanks to Rankins’ ability to disrupt, I think he has a great shot at getting starter’s snaps early on, but don’t be shocked to see him fall a little in the draft due to his smaller stature.
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