Sheldon Rankins set for expanded role entering his second season

After suffering a fractured leg in training camp last season, Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was limited to just nine games as a rookie, and he figures to have an expanded role in 2017. This is especially the case with the recent news of Nick Fairley being placed on injured reserve due to a heart condition.
Without preseason and training camp reps coinciding with getting back to full strength from the injury, Rankins posted a PFF grade of 42.3, finishing 109th out of 127 eligible interior defenders in 2016.
A look back on Rankins' 2015 season at Louisville shows the type of player he's capable of becoming. Ranking eighth on PFF's final 2016 draft board, Rankins was fourth among draft eligible 3-4 defensive ends with 44 total quarterback pressures and finished sixth in pass rush productivity with a score of 9.3. Playing as a defensive tackle in 2014, Rankins managed 39 total quarterback pressures, and was tied for third among all defensive tackles with 31 stops.