Texans agree to one-year deal with former first-round DT

The Jets and Texans were connected to pursuits here, and Garafolo adds Rankins will collect $10.5M in 2023. 

The defensive tackle spent the past two seasons in New York. He will transition from Robert Saleh‘s scheme to DeMeco Ryans‘ similar setup. Ryans succeeded Saleh as San Francisco’s DC, which should make Rankins’ transition fairly smooth.

A former Saints first-round pick, Rankins has played in 4-3 schemes throughout his career. He spent part of his New Orleans run as a starter and complemented Quinnen Williams in New York, making 15 starts for the Jets in 2022. 

The inside pass rusher graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 22 overall interior D-lineman last season; the 6-foot-2 pass rusher totaled 14 QB hits between the 2021 and ’22 campaigns.

Rankins has not approached his eight-sack 2018, but the 28-year-old defender has been a useful presence for two teams. He will try his hand in Houston in hopes of setting up another market next year. 

Of course, the Texans will have exclusive negotiating rights with Rankins until March 2024, giving them the chance to evaluate him. Houston did this with Maliek Collins and ended up extending the veteran D-tackle.

Houston has agreed to terms with both Rankins and ex-Ryans charge Hassan Ridgeway. The team still has Collins under contract as well. Collins has experience as a 4-3 tackle as well, having played for the Cowboys and Raiders before joining the Texans in GM Nick Caserio‘s first year.

The Jets have now lost two D-tackle contributors Wednesday, also seeing Nathan Shepherd leave to join the Saints. The team has Williams under contract through 2023, and extension talks will ramp up this offseason. 

Two-city Saleh charge Solomon Thomas is also a free agent once again. Gang Green, which is likely to employ Aaron Rodgers and encounter some higher-profile TV windows next season, will need more help alongside Williams as a result of Wednesday’s developments.