Sheldon Rankins holds the LDT · Starter spot in Houston Texans’s defensive tackle room. Where he sits among the room’s front-line roles:

Sheldon Rankins played 19 games in 2025 with a 61% snap share.

Sheldon Rankins is a 6'2", 305-pound defensive tackle who played four years at the University of Louisville from 2012 to 2015. The New Orleans Saints selected him with the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Over ten seasons, Rankins has appeared in 116 contests across four teams, starting in 73. He compiled 246 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 44 tackles for loss, 69 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. In 2024 with Cincinnati, he recorded 18 tackles and 1.0 sack across seven games before being released. He re-signed with the Houston Texans in March 2025 and recorded 4.5 sacks in the 2025 season.

Louisville2012 – 2015

Saints2016 – 2020

Jets2021 – 2022

Texans2023

Bengals2024

Texans2025 — present

CollegeLouisvilleDraftRound 1 · No. 12 overall · 2016 · NOAcquiredAcquired from New Orleans Saints · drafted thereHometownCovington, GA