3 DTs the Saints could sign in 2021 instead of Sheldon Rankins

NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 30: Cameron Jordan #94 and Sheldon Rankins #98 of the New Orleans Saints talk of the field before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome during week 4 of the preseason on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 28-0. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Johnathan Hankins

Johnathan Hankins has bounced around the league since being first drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. His rookie contract was 4-years, $4 million. After his stint there, he signed a massive 3-year, $27 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts.

In 2018, he was released by the Colts to clear over $8 million in cap space, and he was picked up on a one year deal with the Oakland Raiders and then re-signed with them for 2-years, $8.5 million and that contract has come to an end.

Obviously, Hankins was seen as a top defensive end in the NFL when he signed a deal worth $27 million. Just like the Saints had to do with Warford and will do with Rankins, he was a victim of the salary cap situation in New York.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that Hankins is still one of the top tackles in the league. Last year, he had 50 tackles, seven of those tackles for a loss, and six hits on the quarterback with 1.5 total sacks.

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