Report: Texans Sign Former Louisville DL Sheldon Rankins

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Houston Texans have signed former Louisville football defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins, according to a report from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. It is a one-year deal worth up to $10.5 million.

Rankins will be joining forces with another former Cardinal on the Texans' defensive line. Defensive end Jonathan Greenard has been with Houston since 2020, when he was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-2, 305-pound defensive tackle has spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets, and was a regular part of their defensive line rotation. This past season, he transitioned to a starting role, starting 15 games to log a career-high 43 tackles (25 solo), four tackles for loss and three sacks. He played in 31 games with 18 starts, tallying 75 tackles (40 solo) with nine tackles for loss and six sacks during his time in the Big Apple.

The Covington, Ga. native spent the first five seasons of his career in New Orleans after being picked in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the No. 12 overall pick. In 63 games and 33 starts with the Saints, Rankins amassed 116 total tackles (77 solo), 25.0 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. His best year came in 2018, when he had a career-high 12.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks along with 40 tackles.

In 46 career games for Louisville from 2012-15, mainly at defensive end, Rankins tallied 18.0 sacks, 31.5 tackles for loss, 133 total tackles (72 solo) and two forced fumbles. He was a two-time All-ACC selection, being named to the Third-Team in 2014, then the Second-Team in 2015 for his senior season.

(Photo of Sheldon Rankins: Eric Hartline - USA TODAY Sports)

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