NFL CAREER – The third defensive lineman selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, Sheldon Rankins contributed to a defensive unit that ranked 11th in the league in opponent net yards per game, third in sacks and fourth in opponent rushing yards per game. Rankins' ability to rush the passer from the inside as well as take on double teams proved beneficial in 2019 again as he returned from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in the 2018 NFC Divisional Playoff to play in ten games and register ten tackles and two sacks.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Placed on Injured Reserve, 12/11/19; Fifth-year option exercised, 4/24/19; Placed on Injured Reserve, 1/16/19; Activated from Injured Reserve, 11/5/16; Placed on Injured Reserve, 9/5/16; Signed to a four-year contract, 5/9/16; Selected by the Saints in the first round (12th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
HONORS – 2018: Ed Block Courage Award (Saints team winner); 2018: Jim Finks Media Appreciation Award; 2017: Jim Finks Media Appreciation Award.
2019 – Played in ten games on the team's DL rotation and recorded ten tackles (seven solo) and two sack, contributing to a unit that ranked 11th in total defense, third in sacks and fourth in opponent rushing yards per game…Returned to action following ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in 2018 NFC Divisional Playoff, making two tackles vs. Dallas, Sept. 29…Recorded first sack of the season, for a seven-yard loss and added three solo tackles at Tampa Bay, Oct. 6…Played in 50th career game and recorded three solo tackles and one sack for seven-yard loss in an effort where New Orleans tied their single-game record for takedowns (nine) on Thanksgiving night at Atlanta, Nov. 28. 2018 – Started all 16 regular season games and one postseason contest for the National Football League's second-ranked rush defense…In opener vs. Tampa Bay, Sept. 9, recorded three tackles (one solo)...Vs. Cleveland, Sept. 16, recorded six tackles (two solo) to tie career-high and added a sack for loss of one yard…At Atlanta, Sept. 23, finished with three solo tackles…Vs. Washington, Oct. 8, finished with two solo tackles and a sack for 12-yard loss…At Minnesota, Oct. 28, recorded three solo tackles and a career high two sacks for 12-yard loss…Vs. L.A. Rams, Nov 4, recorded a solo tackle, as part of a run-stopping unit that help an opposing offense to under 100 yards rushing for the seventh consecutive game…At Cincinnati, Nov. 11, finished with two tackles and one sack for seven-yard loss…Vs. Philadelphia, Nov. 18, finished with a solo tackle and a sack for 10-yard loss…Vs. Atlanta, Nov. 22, recorded two solo tackles and a sack for seven-yard loss in Thanksgiving night victory…At Tampa Bay, Dec. 9, finished with three tackles (one solo), a sack for 14-yard loss, and one pass defensed as the Saints clinched the NFC South for the second consecutive season…Vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 23, finished with three tackles and a crucial forced fumble late in the fourth quarter in Saints territory…In the NFC Divisional Playoff vs. Philadelphia, 1/13/19, left with a season-ending leg injury in the first quarter. 2017- Started all 16 regular season games, posting 26 tackles (16 solo), two sacks for loss of 13 yards, an interception, a pass defensed and a forced fumble. Opened both postseason contests and had ten tackles (seven solo) and one sack for a ten-yard loss…Helped a scoring defense that went from 31st in the NFL in 2016 (28.4 ppg.), to surrendering only 20.4 ppg, in 2017, tenth in league…At Green Bay, Oct. 22, had three tackles (two solo) and one forced fumble…At Buffalo, Nov. 12, had two solo tackles, a 27-yard interception return, one pass defensed and a sack for five-yard loss…Started at DT and posted two solo tackles vs. Carolina, Dec. 3…Vs. Atlanta, Dec. 24, started at RDE and finished with four tackles (two solo) and one sack for an eight-yard loss…Started at RDE to close out the regular season and had one solo tackle, at Tampa Bay, Dec. 31…In the NFC Wild Card Playoff win, vs. Carolina, 1/7/18, started at DT in his postseason debut and posted five tackles (four solo)…Started at LDT and posted five tackles (three solo) and a sack for ten-yard loss in the NFC Divisional Playoff loss at Minnesota, 1/14/18. 2016 - After missing the first eight weeks of the season (fibula), activated from Injured Reserve, Nov. 5…Appearing in nine games, recorded totals of 26 tackles (17 solo), four sacks for a loss of 32 yards and one forced fumble…Made his NFL debut in win at San Francisco, Nov. 6, posting two tackles (one solo)…Vs. Denver, Nov. 13, recorded three solo tackles, including his first career sack, when he dropped Trevor Siemian…Recorded a career-high six tackles (four solo) at Carolina, Nov. 17...Vs. L.A. Rams, Nov. 27, recorded four tackles (two solo), one sack and a forced fumble…Recorded three tackles (two solo), including a sack for a three-yard loss vs. Detroit, Dec 4…At Tampa Bay, Dec. 11, recorded two tackles (one solo)…Vs. Tampa Bay, Dec. 24, recorded four tackles (three solo), including a sack for ten-yard loss.
COLLEGE- Played in 46 games at Louisville, producing career totals of 133 tackles (72 solo), 31.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks…A two-time ACC selection, racked up a career-high 58 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, a pass defensed and a fumble recovery returned 46 yards for a touchdown as a senior in 2015 and received second-team All-Conference honors…As a junior in 2014, was a third-team All-ACC selection by both the conference's coaches and media. Started all 13 contests and recorded 53 tackles (31 solo) and set career-highs with a club-best eight sacks and 13.5 stops for a loss and also added two interceptions, a pass defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…As a sophomore in 2013, played in ten contests and also started the Russell Athletic Bowl win vs. Miami (Fla.). Finished with 15 tackles (11 solo), four stops for loss, including three sacks and a forced fumble...As a freshman in 2012, appeared in ten games with two starts, making seven tackles, one stop for loss and one sack. Had a sack for a 11-yard loss in Sugar Bowl win over Florida…Graduated with a degree in exercise science and kinesiology.
PERSONAL: Three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com at Eastside (Covington, Ga.) HS... Recorded 50 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a senior in 2011...Two-time second-team All-State honoree…Had high school jersey retired...Played basketball and participated in shotput…Born April 2, 1994.
