Report: Jets signing Rankins to 2-year deal

The New York Jets are signing defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to a two-year contract worth up to $17 million, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Rankins spent the first five seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints after being selected 12th overall in 2016.

The versatile lineman registered eight sacks in 2018, but he tore his Achilles in the playoffs that year. He's started just one game over the last two seasons while appearing in 22, amassing 1.5 sacks and 20 tackles in 2020.

Rankins represents yet another loss for the cap-strapped Saints this offseason. New Orleans was either forced to release key players or watched them depart in free agency, including Janoris Jenkins, Kwon Alexander, Trey Hendrickson, and Jared Cook. Quarterback Drew Brees also retired this past week.

New York, meanwhile, continues to be aggressive as it prepares for the club's first campaign under new head coach Robert Saleh. The team already added Carl Lawson, Lamarcus Joyner, and Jarrad Davis to a new-look defense this month.

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