During the start of free agency, the Cincinnati Bengals were highly active and managed to secure defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with a two-year, $26 million deal.
Rankins’ addition addresses a key need for the Bengals on the defensive line’s interior. Following Larry Ogunjobi’s departure after the 2021 season, the team has been lacking in interior pass rush capabilities.
Aged 29, Rankins moves to Cincinnati from the Houston Texans, where he recorded 37 tackles (29 solo) and six sacks last season. With an average annual salary of $13 million for the next two years, Rankins positions himself to revisit the market in two years for a potentially more lucrative contract, depending on his performance
The Bengals are enhancing their defense following a challenging 2023 season where they ranked poorly across various metrics. Sheldon Rankins’ addition will bolster the interior, while newly acquired safety Geno Stone will improve coverage in the secondary.
With DJ Reader moving to the Detroit Lions, the team still requires a nose tackle to address run-stopping duties. Although Rankins is more akin to BJ Hill, his upgrade to the pass rush is commendable, but the Bengals still seek a stout interior run-stopper.
On the whole, Rankins plugs a gap in the middle of the Bengals’ defensive line and should spark enthusiasm among fans.
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