The Houston Texans know they have a pivotal offseason ahead of them. Despite making the playoffs for the last two seasons, they have been eliminated in the divisional round.
The roster needs to get better in some areas to compete with the top teams in the AFC. The defensive line was a strength for the Texans in 2024, as they were tied for fourth in the NFL in team sacks (49) and 11th in run defense (114).
Regardless the best teams in the league continue to add players to their strengths and the Texans have the perfect chance to reunite with a former defender.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Cincinnati Bengals are releasing defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins in a move that saves the team $9.6 million in cap space.
#Bengals releasing DT Sheldon Rankins saves $9.6M on the cap. Rankins, who signed a two-year free agency deal with Cincinnati last offseason, had a tough year while battling viral meningitis.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 21, 2025
Texans Should Look Into Bringing Back Sheldon Rankins
Last March, Rankins signed a two-year, $24.5 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals but only managed to play in seven games as he was battling viral meningitis.
Rankins played with the Texans during the 2023 season and provided them with a quality force along the interior. Over 15 games, Rankins finished with 37 total tackles, nine TFLs, 10 QB hits, and six sacks. Per PFF, he logged a 64.2 overall grade (59th among 215 eligible defenders) and a 76.7 pass-rush grade (21st among 215 eligible defenders).
Houston had Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter both hit double-digit sacks this past season but adding another pass-rush threat along the interior only opens things up some more.
Rankins already has experience playing in Houston's defensive scheme, so it wouldn't take much time to adjust. He's also coming off a down year and the Texans won't have to break the bank to bring him in.
These kinds of additions can go a long way during the season. Rankins is someone who played well with the Texans and it makes plenty of sense to reunite. And the Eagles just showed everyone how important it is to have a stout defensive front.