5 Saints who need to be leaders for the franchise in 2020

Number Two: Sheldon Rankins

Sheldon Rankins is a defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints who has already proved he has what it takes to dominate in the NFL. Rankins’ biggest limiting factor is himself. Rankins would easily be one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL if he could simply stay healthy.

Rankins was drafted twelfth overall by the Saints back in 2016 but has really only had one good season in the NFL which came in 2018.

In 2018, Rankins played a full 16 games for the second time in his career and recorded, 40 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 15 quarterback hits, eight sacks, and one forced fumble.

His other three seasons with the Saints saw him playing a total of 35 games and recording 56 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Rankins needs to have a breakout season in a contract year with the Saints or he could be hitting the free-agent market following the season.