Saints Roster Breakdown: Predicting the five DTs that’ll crack the 53-man roster

Number Three: Sheldon Rankins

Sheldon Rankins is easily the best defensive tackle the New Orleans Saints have on the roster, but only when he’s actually on the field. Rankins, 26, has played two full seasons in his career, but can never seem to catch a break when it matters most.

Rankins is on the final year of his contract and if he doesn’t play the majority of the season and continue to make a meaningful impact, he will likely be testing his market next summer. In 2019, Rankins was limited to just ten games.

In those ten games, Rankins recorded just 10 tackles, two tackles for a loss, five quarterback hits, two sacks, four hurries, and eight pressures.

Rankins seemingly didn’t even exist on the Saints defense in 2019, just one year after the best season of his career. Rankins has solid career stats up to this point but his injury history could set him back. Barring anything unforeseen, Rankins is a lock to make the final 53-man roster.