4 former Saints we’d like to see return in 2024

3. DT Sheldon Rankins

This past season, the New Orleans Saints struggled against the run, giving up 119.9 rushing yards a game— 22nd in the NFL. They also had a hard time getting after opposing quarterbacks, recording just 34 team sacks on the year— 28th in the league. A lot of that had to do with the averge defensive tackle play that the Saints were were getting in 2023.

Meanwhile, a former New Orleans’ defensive tackle, Sheldon Rankins, was balling out with the Houston Texans. In 15 games, Rankins had six sacks, 37 tackles, nine for a loss, and a fumble recovered for a 13-yard touchdown. He played a big role on the defense of the surprising Houston Texans.

Now, he’s a free agent, and the Saints could definitely benefit from him returning to New Orleans. That’s where Rankins started his career, playing five season with the Saints from 2016 to 2020. In 2021, he left, signing a two-year deal with the New York Jets. After three seasons away, the Saints should try and bring him back.

With Bryan Bresee developing, and Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd still under contract, adding Sheldon Rankins would help the defense significantly.