New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft

04-29-2016, 06:20 PM

I see some people knocking his height but personally I prefer the DTs to be a little shorter. That usually gives them a lower center of gravity and better leverage.

rezburna · 04-29-2016, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Crusader

I see some people knocking his height but personally I prefer the DTs to be a little shorter. That usually gives them a lower center of gravity and better leverage.

True that.

SmashMouth · 04-29-2016, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Crusader

I see some people knocking his height but personally I prefer the DTs to be a little shorter. That usually gives them a lower center of gravity and better leverage.

He's a real monster DT...

QBREES9 · 04-29-2016, 10:33 PM

Oh Boy,

burningmetal · 04-29-2016, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by CharityMike

For those that don't like the pick or don't think he was the best DT in the draft, just listen to what Payton said about him. He checks ALL the box's. He can do it all. Is good against the run and can push the pocket in the pass. Can play any position on the line.

In the senior bowl, he was UNBLOCKABLE in one on one's. He is going to be good. I won't disagree with getting another DT. Not having to pin our hopes on Jenkins and Fairly makes me feel better. It all starts up front and this pick filled a need and was the best DT in the draft. Grade A+

I've said a few times that I'm good with the pick, but I'm not as enthusiastic as some of you. Coaches tend to always gush over players they just picked. Our track record of picking DT's, or even signing them as free agents is horrible. So you'll forgive me if I don't give two craps what Payton says about Rankins.

I'm not sold that he can stop the run. This is not college anymore, and I am reminded of Brodrick Bunkley when I look at his size. Some guys can over-come that lack of leverage and I'm hoping Rankins will. I would have liked to double up on tackles. But instead we took an over-rated WR.

Like Rankins, but he's not going to do it all by himself.

CharityMike · 04-29-2016, 11:33 PM

This is from a senior bowl person:

Sheldon is a two-plus year starter at defensive tackle for Louisville. He has a proportioned, sturdy build with development in all major muscle groups. This fourth-year senior looks strong in the lower half through his calves, thighs and glutes. The Cardinals emanate from a 3-4 base and Sheldon has aligned as a defensive end and nose in that front. Once Louisville goes to its sub package, which is often the case against their ACC opponents, he slides to a 1- or 3-technique and looks really comfortable from that position.

At the point-of-attack, he stays square to the line-of-scrimmage and is physical with his hands. He typically keeps them inside the framework of his opponent and shows some shock and shed on direct runs. When plays go away from him, he is rarely cut and does a consistent job of staying on his feet and keeping his balance. As a pass rusher, he has a low center of gravity and can bull the bottom of the pocket. Sheldon is also active with his hands and has the initial quickness to penetrate a gap and get upfield on occasion. For the NFL, he is likely a rotational rookie with the potential to become a full-time starter in the future. Because of his background in defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s pro-like scheme that has asked him to play virtually every technique along the front, he should be able to transition very quickly to the NFL game. This player has quality eyes (instincts), feet (balance), hips (explosion) and hands (strong), which should translate into a very solid career for him. In some respects, he is similar to Sylvester Williams, the former North Carolina defensive tackle and late first-rounder of the Denver Broncos in 2013.

burningmetal · 04-30-2016, 01:33 AM

Yeah, he has talent. He wouldn't go in the first round without it. I just think that if we were only getting one tackle, I'd prefer a strong nose tackle, type. I don't think Rankins is weak, by any means, but he's going to have a difficult time utilizing his pass rushing abilities without some help.

I'll never forget when we had Norman Hand, and put up 66 sacks with guys like keith Mitchell and Charlie Clemons, of all people, putting up double digit sack totals. Not that Norman was the sole factor, but I don't think it's coincidental that all of those guys had their best statistical season with him there.

I'm less concerned with Rankins' height as I am with his length. That's where I wonder how his leverage will translate into the NFL. I really like his quickness and moves. I just would feel a lot better if he had a sidekick. But I guess we're supposed to trust Nick Fairley... Here's hoping for the best.

mighty12 · 04-30-2016, 04:02 AM

Did 500+ words on the Rankins pick, if anyone is interested.

https://obnoxiouswhodat.wordpress.co...rankins-j-a-g/

Danno · 04-30-2016, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

Yeah, he has talent. He wouldn't go in the first round without it. I just think that if we were only getting one tackle, I'd prefer a strong nose tackle, type. I don't think Rankins is weak, by any means, but he's going to have a difficult time utilizing his pass rushing abilities without some help.

I'll never forget when we had Norman Hand, and put up 66 sacks with guys like keith Mitchell and Charlie Clemons, of all people, putting up double digit sack totals. Not that Norman was the sole factor, but I don't think it's coincidental that all of those guys had their best statistical season with him there.

I'm less concerned with Rankins' height as I am with his length. That's where I wonder how his leverage will translate into the NFL. I really like his quickness and moves. I just would feel a lot better if he had a sidekick. But I guess we're supposed to trust Nick Fairley... Here's hoping for the best.

True, if he was 10 pounds heavier he'd have been a top 5 pick.

Only one DT had graded out higher over the last 2 seasons than Rankins, Aaron Donald, who happens to be 1" shorter and 15 pounds lighter than Rankins.

lee909 · 04-30-2016, 09:18 AM

10lbs 2inches
Its all overblown if the player has the right skillset

04-29-2016, 06:20 PM	#51
Threaded by Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,025 Rating: (0 votes - average) I see some people knocking his height but personally I prefer the DTs to be a little shorter. That usually gives them a lower center of gravity and better leverage. Danno, rezburna and MarchingOn like this.
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04-29-2016, 06:29 PM	#52
rezburna 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kenner, LA Posts: 7,935	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft Originally Posted by Crusader I see some people knocking his height but personally I prefer the DTs to be a little shorter. That usually gives them a lower center of gravity and better leverage. True that.

04-29-2016, 06:39 PM	#53
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,209 Blog Entries: 29	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft Originally Posted by Crusader I see some people knocking his height but personally I prefer the DTs to be a little shorter. That usually gives them a lower center of gravity and better leverage. He's a real monster DT... Crusader likes this.

04-29-2016, 10:33 PM	#54
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft Oh Boy,

04-29-2016, 11:17 PM	#55
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft Originally Posted by CharityMike For those that don't like the pick or don't think he was the best DT in the draft, just listen to what Payton said about him. He checks ALL the box's. He can do it all. Is good against the run and can push the pocket in the pass. Can play any position on the line. In the senior bowl, he was UNBLOCKABLE in one on one's. He is going to be good. I won't disagree with getting another DT. Not having to pin our hopes on Jenkins and Fairly makes me feel better. It all starts up front and this pick filled a need and was the best DT in the draft. Grade A+ I've said a few times that I'm good with the pick, but I'm not as enthusiastic as some of you. Coaches tend to always gush over players they just picked. Our track record of picking DT's, or even signing them as free agents is horrible. So you'll forgive me if I don't give two craps what Payton says about Rankins. I'm not sold that he can stop the run. This is not college anymore, and I am reminded of Brodrick Bunkley when I look at his size. Some guys can over-come that lack of leverage and I'm hoping Rankins will. I would have liked to double up on tackles. But instead we took an over-rated WR. Like Rankins, but he's not going to do it all by himself.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

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04-29-2016, 11:33 PM	#56
CharityMike Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mid City, New Orleans Posts: 3,556	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft This is from a senior bowl person: Sheldon is a two-plus year starter at defensive tackle for Louisville. He has a proportioned, sturdy build with development in all major muscle groups. This fourth-year senior looks strong in the lower half through his calves, thighs and glutes. The Cardinals emanate from a 3-4 base and Sheldon has aligned as a defensive end and nose in that front. Once Louisville goes to its sub package, which is often the case against their ACC opponents, he slides to a 1- or 3-technique and looks really comfortable from that position. At the point-of-attack, he stays square to the line-of-scrimmage and is physical with his hands. He typically keeps them inside the framework of his opponent and shows some shock and shed on direct runs. When plays go away from him, he is rarely cut and does a consistent job of staying on his feet and keeping his balance. As a pass rusher, he has a low center of gravity and can bull the bottom of the pocket. Sheldon is also active with his hands and has the initial quickness to penetrate a gap and get upfield on occasion. For the NFL, he is likely a rotational rookie with the potential to become a full-time starter in the future. Because of his background in defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s pro-like scheme that has asked him to play virtually every technique along the front, he should be able to transition very quickly to the NFL game. This player has quality eyes (instincts), feet (balance), hips (explosion) and hands (strong), which should translate into a very solid career for him. In some respects, he is similar to Sylvester Williams, the former North Carolina defensive tackle and late first-rounder of the Denver Broncos in 2013.

04-30-2016, 01:33 AM	#57
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft Yeah, he has talent. He wouldn't go in the first round without it. I just think that if we were only getting one tackle, I'd prefer a strong nose tackle, type. I don't think Rankins is weak, by any means, but he's going to have a difficult time utilizing his pass rushing abilities without some help. I'll never forget when we had Norman Hand, and put up 66 sacks with guys like keith Mitchell and Charlie Clemons, of all people, putting up double digit sack totals. Not that Norman was the sole factor, but I don't think it's coincidental that all of those guys had their best statistical season with him there. I'm less concerned with Rankins' height as I am with his length. That's where I wonder how his leverage will translate into the NFL. I really like his quickness and moves. I just would feel a lot better if he had a sidekick. But I guess we're supposed to trust Nick Fairley... Here's hoping for the best. MarchingOn likes this.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

04-30-2016, 04:02 AM	#58
mighty12 500th Post Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 980 Blog Entries: 1	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft Did 500+ words on the Rankins pick, if anyone is interested. https://obnoxiouswhodat.wordpress.co...rankins-j-a-g/ hagan714 and Utah_Saint like this.

04-30-2016, 09:07 AM	#59
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,725	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft Originally Posted by burningmetal Yeah, he has talent. He wouldn't go in the first round without it. I just think that if we were only getting one tackle, I'd prefer a strong nose tackle, type. I don't think Rankins is weak, by any means, but he's going to have a difficult time utilizing his pass rushing abilities without some help. I'll never forget when we had Norman Hand, and put up 66 sacks with guys like keith Mitchell and Charlie Clemons, of all people, putting up double digit sack totals. Not that Norman was the sole factor, but I don't think it's coincidental that all of those guys had their best statistical season with him there. I'm less concerned with Rankins' height as I am with his length. That's where I wonder how his leverage will translate into the NFL. I really like his quickness and moves. I just would feel a lot better if he had a sidekick. But I guess we're supposed to trust Nick Fairley... Here's hoping for the best. True, if he was 10 pounds heavier he'd have been a top 5 pick. Only one DT had graded out higher over the last 2 seasons than Rankins, Aaron Donald, who happens to be 1" shorter and 15 pounds lighter than Rankins. MarchingOn likes this.

04-30-2016, 09:18 AM	#60
lee909 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Watford England Posts: 8,829 Blog Entries: 1	Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft 10lbs 2inches Its all overblown if the player has the right skillset

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