2016 NFL Draft: Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins drafted 12th overall by New Orleans Saints

With the 12th pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints selected defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins from the University of Louisville. Rankins is 6'1" and 299 lbs. Rankins, who was a consensus top 15 pick in almost every mock draft, was rated as the best player at his position, and the 14th best overall pick according to CBS Sports.

Rankins anchored down the defensive line for the last two years while the defense was still getting used to Todd Grantham's new defensive schemes. In 2015, Rankins finished 3rd on the team in sacks (6), and 2nd in tackles for loss (13). He also finished the season with seven quarterback hurries, 1 pass defensed, and returned a fumble 46 yards for a touchdown. He has experience in his career playing both on the inside as well as on the end of the line, which will only help his NFL career.

Scouts have shown some concern with Rankins' size and if he'll be to last in the interior of the line. However, there is much more upside to Rankins than what his size might hinder. Rankins with explosiveness on almost every play.  He has a very strong base which provides great balance and possesses quick feet. Those three areas of strength (along with plenty of others) will help him be a force on the defensive line going against opposing linemen.

As mentioned above, here is a video of Rumblin' Rankins against Boston College: