Saints: 3 reasons why Cam Jordan can win Defense Player of the Year
By Jake Rajala
Sheldon Rankins returning to full health
Defensive tackle, Sheldon Rankins, broke out in 2017 by recording eight sacks, according to Pro Football Reference.
Rankins does more than record personal gains. The explosive defensive tackle creates opportunities for Cam Jordan to capitalize off, and he takes double teams away from his fellow defensive end.
Sheldon Rankins was activated in Week 4 after missing time due to a broken fibula. He was healthy for all six games before he went down with a significant ankle injury in Week 14, which kept him out of the remainder of the season.
Sheldon Rankins’ healthy on the field significantly helped Cam Jordan’s accomplishments when he was healthy, and it hurt Cam’s stats when he was injured.
Rankins with his quickness can push the pocket back and make it hard for opposing quarterbacks to step up, allowing Jordan to have the quarterback sitting like a duck once he wins the edge and bends the corner without having to wrap around the tackle tightly.
In the Saints Buccaneers match up in Week 11, Jameis was in the shotgun formation with an obvious passing situation. Rankins pushed the guard and center both back right into Jameis’ face, which helped Jordan once he beat his man sweep up the Buccaneers quarterback who couldn’t step up into the pocket.
Saints Wire noted how Sheldon Rankins is expected to be ready for training camp, and that’s good news for the Saints pass rush that wants to crank things up for another super bowl run.