CheramieIII

Grade: A-


12. New Orleans Saints - Sheldon Rankins, DE, Louisville

The Saints had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season, so they were widely mocked defensive linemen in the first round. They get the best athlete for a defensive tackle in this year's class. Rankins is going to effortlessly fire into the backfield to help disrupt things, allowing the linebackers the Saints brought in this offseason to clean things up. This is a perfect example of drafting best player at a need.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS ONE! GEAUX SAINTS!

NFL Draft grades 2016: Snap reactions to the 1st round

Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at them.
Jimmy Demaret

K Major

+1. The young stud fills a need, high character and was a consistent producer (not just a one year guy). Scouts described him as a 3 down lineman.

I can understand some of the knee jerk reactions but give this guy a chance before executing him. I can believe he is a good fit because he'll redirect a RB into St Nick Fairley or a DE. With the way he can penetrate & get into a QB's face by "3 Mississippi", expect to see forced passes and/or interceptions. If you watch his tape, extremely quick/high motor guy who was a top 3 DT in 2014 and was ranked #1 for 2015 most of the year.

I'm cool with the pick. At the end of the day, you win in the trenches and he will help our anemic run defense.

Welcome to New Orleans Mr. Rankins .

Trust and believe.

hagan714

Welcome aboard

WW_Who_Dat

CHAMPIONSHIP

saintsfan1976

I agree also.

A bit of a "finesse" guy at times but from watching a couple games the guy is consistently double teamed.

Now can we please please PLEASE go after the speedy edge rusher I've been BEGGING for YEARS around here to get....

Euphoria

My take so far... I see them going on all on a pass rushing D - to heck with stopping the run. If we stop the run or at least slow it down great but getting after the QB is the main goal.

SmashMouth

Poor dressers for the most part...

Rugby Saint II

"Welcome to the Saints son. Here's your playbook and there is the hot tub."

nola_swammi

I feel confident in this player but I will feel more confident if we had a DL coach

Danno

Is it really Bill Johnson? Have we had DT's go elsewhere and play better than they did when they were here?

Maybe we've just been picking crappy DT's for the last several years.

Ellis and Will couldn't even find a job when they left here. He seems to have done OK with Cam Jordan, Richardson, K Williams, TJohnson, Jenkins and Davison.

Kevin Williams had he best season in a couple seasons under Bill Johnson.

I'm not sure Bill Johnson is the problem. Might not be the answer either.