The Detroit Lions are definitely going to be looking to add depth to their defensive line this offseason after dealing with injuries last year and seeing how deep they weren’t.
One very intriguing offer just hit the market on Friday and he has ties to Lions head coach Dan Campbell. We’re talking about former first-round pick Sheldon Rankins.
He spent four seasons in New Orleans with Campbell and the Saints and has been a pretty strong defensive tackle for the Jets and Texans as well. He signed a big deal with the Bengals ahead of the 2024 season.
The Bengals released Rankins as a cost-cutting measure in their efforts to keep Tee Higgins, sign JaMarr Chase to an extension, and keep their offense together. Rankins also dealt with some injuries in 2024, and it just didn’t work out in Cincinnati.
On day one, he could be the Lions’ third interior defensive lineman. He specializes in pass rushes—he had 42 pressures and six sacks in 2023—but he can also be a good run defender. He was solid there for the Saints and Jets.
Coming off injuries and being 30-years-old could give the Lions a discount for sure. They could probably look to sign him to a one-year deal in the $8 million region and have incentives attached to make sure they’re protected.
An interior group of Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Sheldon Rankins, Mekhi Wingo, and Brodric Martin could be pretty solid. If they get Levi Onwuzurkie back, it’s even more dangerous. Keep an eye on Rankins in the next few weeks. This one has a shot of happening, but there will definitely be a lot of other interested teams.