This Saints Starter Won't Be Back With New Orleans in 2021
By Andrew Gullotta
Like every team in the NFL, the Saints have a degree of turnover on their roster year to year. For example, this offseason they got rid of starting guard Larry Warford and saftey Vonn Bell. As much as the team may not want to admit it, there will be starters that leave the team each season, and after 2020 will be no different.
During this free agency period, New Orleans made one move that looks like it's preparing an exit for Sheldon Rankins in 2021. The Saints re-signed defensive tackle David Onyemata, who plays the same position as the former first-round pick, for three seasons.
DT David Onyemata headed back to the #Saints, source says. Big keep for New Orleans.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2020
The Saints may say they want to retain both after next season, however, giving pricey extensions to two players at defensive tackle seems foolish.
Rankins, who's entering the final year of his rookie contract, has battled a plethora of leg injuries throughout his young career. Even though the Louisville product has shown some of his massive potential -- specifically his 2018 in which he recorded eight sacks -- he may be too big of a risk for the Saints to sign long term.
Sheldon Rankins has endured a brutal start to his NFL career.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) December 11, 2019
2016: Broken fibula
2018: Torn Achilles
2019: Severe ankle injury
The talented young defensive lineman has been forced to spend far too much of his young career in rehab and the training room.
With New Orleans having many of their stars possibly hit free agency in 2020, including Alvin Kamara, Marcus Williams, and Demario Davis, the team probably won't be able to shell out the big bucks for a player who been significantly injured in three of his first four NFL seasons.
With health issues looming, other impending free agents to re-sign, and a replacement already locked up, Rankins' time with the Saints may be coming to an end.