That recent Underhill article pointed out that Rankins has been shifting three technique to nose and taking on multiple blockers on occasions. While this will reduce his individual numbers it is giving the exterior line more opportunities. We are seeing the impact of Coach Neilsen.

See this is why I didn't like taking Rankins, I'd rather see more production in his stats; we could have signed a space gobbler or drafted one in latter rounds...

When you draft a 3-tech that high, I'd prefer an Aaron Donald, and we're getting Sedrick Ellis 2.0...

You're totally on-point and correct that Rankins is freeing up people, just don't agree with using the 13th pick like that when we could have a more valuable skill position like a CB with that high a pick...