The Saints selected Rankins in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, 12th overall.
The Saints selected Rankins in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, 12th overall.
Analysis:
The NFL normally doesn't have much appreciation for 6-foot-1 defensive tackles under 300 pounds, but Rankins is an exception. Rankins was one of the top defenders on a tough Louisville defense the last two years, and he showed rare lower-body explosiveness with excellent vertical (34.5-inch) and broad jump (118-inch) numbers. The Saints should get good returns from Rankins both in run defense and the pass rush, with Rankins ideally turning into a Geno Atkins-like presence.