REPORT: Texans Interested in Star Defender to Fill Glaring Need

The Houston Texans have expressed interest in a star defender to fill a pretty big need.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) runs a drill at Bengals spring practice at the IEL Indoor Facility in Cincinnati on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Houston Texans need offense more than anything this offseason, but that does not mean they can't stand to improve defensively.

More specifically, the Texans could use some help along the interior of their defensive line, and one target seems to be emerging: Sheldon Rankins.

The Cincinnati Bengals released Rankins—who played for Houston in 2023—last month, and now, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 is reporting that the Texans are interested in a reunion.

Wilson noted that Houston wanted to bring Rankins back last year, but the Texans were outbid by the Bengals, who signed him to a two-year, $26 million deal.

The 30-year-old played in just seven games with Cincinnati this past season, missing three contests due to a hamstring injury and then sitting out the final seven games of the year because of an illness.

During Rankins' time on the field in 2024, he logged 18 tackles and one sack in what was a rather unproductive campaign for the veteran.

With the Texans the year prior, however, Rankins enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, racking up 37 tackles, six sacks and a defensive touchdown.

The University of Louisville product was originally selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 12th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft and spent the first five years of his tenure with the Saints, enjoying an impressive run before joining the New York Jets for a couple of seasons.

Houston could absolutely use Rankins' presence in the middle of its front seven, as he would definitely make the jobs of edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. much easier.

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