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Jets Could Target This Defensive Tackle in Free Agency

Will the New York Jets target New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins in free agency this offseason? One writer believes Rankins would be a good fit

Max Goodman

One NFL writer thinks the Jets should sign Sheldon Rankins this offseason.

Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr picked one player that each team should target in free agency. Here's his explanation for why New York would benefit from adding this defensive tackle. 

Teams sleeping on Rankins will be sorely mistaken when the 2016 first-round pick stands out next year. Robert Saleh would love this finally healthy, three-technique DT, who, after recovering from Achilles issues early in his career, is poised to round into form.

Rankins, who turns 27 next month, has been with the Saints for five years since New Orleans picked him 12th overall in the 2016 NFL draft. 

In those five seasons with the Saints, the defensive tackle has accumulated 17.5 sacks, 116 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 44 hits on the quarterback. A good chunk of those numbers came during the 2018 season, Rankins' best year in the NFL, when the tackle set career-high numbers in every major statistical category including sacks (8.0).

While the Jets are expected to add an edge rusher or two in both free agency and the NFL draft, combining a player like Rankins with rising star Quinnen Williams in the middle of the defensive line could be a formidable combination. 

Rankins hasn't produced at the same level over the last few seasons—he's also only played in 10 and 12 games respectively across these last two years—but perhaps he can reignite his career in green and white playing for Robert Saleh's defense. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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