The New York Jets’ defense is ranked ninth in the NFL. The unit has strung together three consecutive winning performances, highlighted by the dominance had in their last game, allowing 10 points at Lambeau Field. This defense is getting quality execution from a wide range of players across the board.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is one of those players the Jets have been getting some great production from.
Whether it be in run defense or as a pass rusher, Rankins had made his impact noticeable. He has established himself as a core contributor to this successful defense and one they will continue to need similar play from moving forward.
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Sheldon Rankins enjoying a successful second year with New York Jets:
Rankins has been the starting defensive tackle alongside potential All-Pro Quinnen Williams. Together, the two have formed one of the top interior defensive line tandems in the NFL.
Rankins has played 226 snaps (57%) for the Jets’ defense and appeared in all six games.
As a pass rusher, he has recorded two sacks, three quarterback hits, and nine pressures. Rankins is on pace for five sacks, eight quarterback hits, and a stellar 25 pressures.
In this clip below from the Week 6 win, Rankins (#98), operating from the 4i-Technique, generates a ton of power rushing over the right guard (#70). While it may not show up on the stat sheet, Rankins does not allow Aaron Rodgers to step into the throw, which helps lead to a ball just underthrown enough to be incomplete.
Along with the rest of the Jets’ defensive line, Rankins has wreaked some havoc on the games Robert Saleh, and Jeff Ulbrich have dialed up the last three weeks. Whether it be on stunts (play below) or twists (two plays below) and especially from some overloaded side fronts, production has come from Rankins.
On this pressure below, he operates again from the 4i-Technique and wins on a twist in which he shows some of his fluid lateral movement helping lead to an incompletion.
He has 19 total tackles (13 solo) and three tackles for loss which puts him on pace for eight this year.
In run defense, Rankins has made plays throughout the season. Especially in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, when the Jets had some problems, Rankins stepped up for the unit against the run. He has been one of the most pivotal players to the front seven of the Jets, leading to the run defense currently being the 12th-best in football.
All in all, Rankins’ dominance has likely gone a bit under the radar. He is playing great football and on a high level relative to the defensive tackle position. Rankins is having a great 2022 with the Jets.