New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

The New Orleans Saints selected Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

A 6-foot-1, 299-pound lineman who cited versatility as his biggest strength, Rankins had six sacks and 13 tackles for loss in his final year with Louisville.

He declined an invitation to watch the draft in Chicago, instead opting to stay home in Covington, Ga., where he could enjoy the moment with friends and family. They "screamed" when his name was called.

http://image.nola.com/home/nola-medi...72ecfc7a87.JPG

"I come from a hard-working family," he said in a conference call with New Orleans media.. "My mom's a teacher, my grandparents work hard. That's just what I've been built on: Work hard and good things will follow. That's pretty much how I was raised."

Rankins said he's been to New Orleans only once in his life, a freshman year trip to the Sugar Bowl with the Cardinals. But he said the team was largely cloistered in its hotel and didn't see much other than Bourbon Street.

read more

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Well... the Saints have proven again that they can't draft defense.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Might be worth letting him get in the field before writti g him off

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

We could have made a better pick

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

But he can do this pretty good...

http://154gxz1yid0paezn122e687g.wpen...erience-26.gif

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

And what party did you attend to get that?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

We all think we could've picked someone better but in reality the team took the player they wanted the most based on a lot of study and interviews with the player himself. I was freaking excited when we got him and I'm still excited. GEAUX SAINTS!

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

and for day 2 we still have Jarran, A'Shawn and Myles Jack to look at! just imagine getting Jarran or A'Shawn on day 2 without trading up.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

I am not happy as most know

One thing I worry about injury history. last years was his first year healthy. Knee ankle shoulder blah blah blah.

Even healthy top OL neutralized him. He will get double teamed out of the dome because the saints still do not have a NT that requires two people to block. Even then I have my doubts.

Till NT is addressed this kid has the deck stacked against him.

Round 2 at the end of the season and did nothing in the off season beauty shows to change my mind.

Oh well hoping for the best.

Photos or no photos Laremy Tunsil was the pick.
Peat or no Peat Laremy Tunsil was the pick.

Oh well get this kid in the weight room ASAP.

Might as well draft the other might mouse at NT.

Andrew Billings 6005 311 5.05

The saint can have the shortest stubby armed and yet quickest defensive middle in the NFL

Oh well praying for the best

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

I didn't know a lot about this guy but he does fill a need and seem like a good player. That interior is very important so this pick kinda excites me a little.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

I'm not a hater on this pick at all. I think he's an interesting prospect. But I'd really like to know what happened with the Alabama DT's that made them fall so far. I felt better about their overall game.

I'm less interested in pass rushing DT's, as I am with one's who can simply push the pocket on QB's, and stop the freaking run. I would think if one of those guys falls to the Saints in the 2nd round they would have to strongly consider jumping on it. It would be two DT's in a row, but let's be honest... DT has been the number one weakness on this team for the better part of 15 years. It's time to get that right. And I don't trust Fairley to be a consistent force. I just hope he can provide a push on passing downs.

Maybe Spence or Ogbah fall to them and they go that way. If they are going BPA, I think Mackenzie Alexander might be the best left. I really like him, but with PJ Williams coming back, I think I'd be inclined to put some faith in his talent and continue to address other areas. I doubt he falls much further at all, anyway.

I'm not sure how many quality outside linebackers are left and worth taking in the second round. I don't think Myles Jack or Jaylon Jones would be great ideas at this point. Maybe in the 3rd round, Jones is worth the risk.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

We've been getting beat upfront for years, this is hopefully a step in the direction of fixing that!

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Rankins, Fairley and Jenkins are a very good rotation in the middle. Cam and Alphabet will hold down the ends. We're going to have a MUCH IMPROVED Defense this year.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

You are not alone. I was puzzled how not one of those Bama studs were not taken in the 1st. More than likely Reed & AShawn go off the board early today. Maybe the old football quote still holds true ... "the real football players are drafted in the 2nd-4th rounds".

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Robinson was not a huge surprise in my book. I think Reed got caught in his wake. Reed IMO is still the best NT on the board and the NT with the most upside to boot. still my pick at 12.

Get Reed in round 2 would give Rankings a fighting chance.

The saints never go after players to help players out. bad track history I am hoping for a change in with the changes in the front office.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Love the pick fixing the dline is a must and that alone will improve the defense lets go with another in round 2 !

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Not a fan of the pick. Hope he proves me wrong.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Both Bama DT's are mostly space eating 2-gappers.

Those typically slide in favor of pass rushers.

I'd love to team either one of them up with Rankins.

Ragland is a tweener. Kinda big for a LB but a bit too small for D-line. He's probably limited to play the Mike in a 3-4.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

And I think that's a mistake that teams are making. DT's SHOULD be space eaters. It's lagniappe when any of them can rush the passer.

If you take a look around the league, how many pass rushing DT's are there? Suh barely got into double digits, with 10, in his rookie season and hasn't done it since. He really hasn't done much at all. After him... I can't remember anyone since La'roi Glover and Warren Sapp.

Those kind of players seem to have become almost extinct. Yet teams keep trying to find the Next Glover, Sapp or John Randle, and they get nothing. If you can stop the run and make an offense one dimensional, you've already made the Secondary's job much easier. But also if they are indeed clogging things up like they should, then that allows others to run free and get to the QB. It's basic football, and GM's/coaches would do well to go back to that formula.

Those that are doing it are winning. How about those boring Broncos DT's, last year?

I'm not directing this at you, Danno, because what you say is true. I'm just venting at the ignorance some teams have.

Edit- I forgot about Aaron Donald. He's definitely the premier DT in the league right now. Don't know I'm forgetting any others through the years, but it seems like very few tackles are legitimate pass rushers anymore.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

I haven't kept up with my football but from what I'm reading, I like the pick. Sounds like we got our hands on a potentially dominant interior disrupt-er.

I'm very intrigued on how far Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith will drop. I'd take a gamble on either one. Myles in the second and Jaylon later on.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

I feel especially bad for JS - potentially a top pick and rising NFL star up until the injury. Myles Jack also a top prospect who chose not to start his professional career lying to his potential employer as it relates to his injury. Guess that micro fracture thing was too risky for teams to chance on in the 1st. Maybe, just maybe both are Draft day 2 selections.

Seem like high character guys on and off the field.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

He was/is a Failclowns fan.... guess we converted yet another.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Not a fan at all. When people started predicting him at 12 I started reading and watching everything I could. The man disappears a lot. Not something a the last ranked defense needs. Now, if we could get Reed, Robinson, Jack, Spence, Dodd or Billings to fall to us at 16 it may make up for the Rankins pick. Then maybe Vadal Alexander, Jerald Hawkins, Christian Westerman, Nick Martin or LeRaven Clark in the 3rd or 4th to shore up the o-line.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Let's reserve judgement til we see him suit up.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

I'm pleased with the selection of Sheldon Rankins. He and Nick Fairley could be a potent combination bringing the pressure up the middle as they both do consistently and well. Throw in Cameron Jordan off the edge and perhaps Kikiha being moved down to DE in what seems to be a shift back to the 4-3, and a problem seems to be alleviated. I'm really excited to see our defense this year. James Laurinaitis should make a huge difference as the signal caller of the defense, allowing Stephone Anthony to play more free and use that elite athleticism. Delvin Breaux and a healthy Keenan Lewis is a huge upgrade and downright lethal with what should be an improved pass rush. I'd love for Myles Jack or Jaylon Smith to be there for us in the 2nd or 3rd.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

He did suit up for 3 years in college. That's how you know where to draft people. I hope he becomes the next Glover but I am afraid he is the next Sullivan.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

And if he turns out to be the next Glover????

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

We picked the #1 rated DT in the draft.
It was a major need, and we picked the best one.

Should we have picked #2 or #3?

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Seems like a decent pick, good character as well but if he shows up to camp out of shape and fat we will know what we got is how I see it. I hope that doesn't happen but our historical record is not good at this position.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

I don't he'll have time for that. First week weekend after the Draft, clubs can elect to hold their rookie mini camp. See below.

Important 2016 NFL Dates

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Jurrell Casey is a 6'1 DT pretty good one at that, don think anyone would complain about having him, I'm saying big doesn't always mean better but I do agree another big body next to him makes me feel better about the pick . They're "smaller" DT's out there have an major impact on there teams he might be ours

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

But what's next today, Johnathan Bullard from Florida?, (excuse the misspelling) I like that pick or Dodd Sua Cravens would be lovely Jarran Reed day 2 is going to be crazy it's to much talent left I'm just patiently waiting one those names has to come to us

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

So, if I've got this right in a 4-3 defense there are two DT's and two DE's. I understand that he can play pretty much anywhere along the line which for Payton is a plus.

We've got Fairley to put next to him and that means someone is going to get double teamed. That means we'll have a large strong rusher and a large speed rusher on the inside. Right? :bng:

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

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+

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

If the #2 was Vernon Butler then yes, pick the #2.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

I really really liked him too, but that doesn't mean Rankins was a bad pick.

We did very well IMO. I just hate that the Panthers got Butler. Not sure why since they were loaded at DT but I guess he was their BPA.

Re: New Orleans Saints select Sheldon Rankins in 2016 NFL Draft
 

Also while watching this, check out our LSU boy Alexander. He looks very good!