One of the prospects who may be available at pick #28
DT Sheldon Rankins, 6-foot-2, 304, Louisville
If you had checked Rankins’ ranking before the Senior Bowl you’d likely have found him listed as a 3rd round pick. However, he’s already flying up the draft board and the combine hasn’t even taken place yet and I expect him to blow it up like he did during Senior Bowl week.
Some will complain about Rankins’ size (they say he’s an inch too short — kind of like Star Lotulelei who turned out to be a terrific DT for the Panthers) but his power and quickness can’t be denied and he made nearly every offensive lineman he faced during Senior Bowl week practices look silly.
Sheldon Rankins has a definite wow factor. Todd McShay, a top college football analyst for espn says, “Rankins is a complete prospect, with the skill set to line up anywhere along the defensive front.” That’s high praise coming from McShay. Rankins’ violent hands followed by a spin move had everyone standing and staring at this Senior Bowl week practice. His showing got heads turned and you can be sure John Dorsey’s head was a 78 record (and if you’re old enough to know what that is, then you’re old enough to recall John’s famous namesake, Tommy)
Michigan OL Graham Glasgow, meet Louisville's Sheldon Rankins. This is a dusting, folks.#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/LPslDIdKja
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 26, 2016
What his selection could mean for the Chiefs:
If the Chiefs take Sheldon Rankins with the 28th pick in the draft it may be because they choose not to re-sign Jaye Howard. In fact, Sheldon Rankins consistent dominant performances during Senior Bowl week could have provided a number of general managers with the impetus to make personnel decisions prior to the draft… believing that they could draft him in the second or third round but, he’ll be long gone by then.
If Rankins is the pick, the Chiefs will be getting a defensive force along the front line who would complement Dontari Poe. While Poe can move the pile, Rankins is excellent at penetrating that pile and has 15 sacks to his credit in the past two years. Rankins is flexible, position wise, a trait Andy Reid adores in his players, because Sheldon can also play inside or out.
Charades: Movie. Four words. First word is short. That’s right, “A.” Year? 1992. Starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson… you got it: “A Few Good Men.” Why, because the Chiefs only need a few good men to take this show to the Super Bowl and Sheldon Rankins qualifies for sure. Is that a fact? No, it’s the truth. The truth? You can’t handle the truth. Truth is… Sheldon Rankins is a top DT prospect that could be had at the end of the first round. I’m just sorry lost your steak knives.
Next: Is there a 1st Rounder Who Could Help Jeremy Maclin?