19. Buffalo Bills – Sheldon Rankins – DT – Louisville
The Buffalo Bills need to restock their defense after losing several players to other teams this offseason. Linebacker and defensive end are probably their top two positions of need but they could also use a defensive tackle and a safety.
Buffalo’s defense played poorly last year and was the major reason why the team did not make the playoffs. There were some disagreements as to what type of system the Bills should run between a few of the players and head coach Rex Ryan. Those players are mostly gone now and Ryan will have a chance to add several players to his defense since the Bills have eight draft picks. You can expect most of those picks to be on the defensive side and their #19 overall pick will be no different.
The Buffalo Bills should select 6’1″, 299 pound defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins from Louisville. Kyle Williams is coming off an injury and is 32 years old with his best days likely behind him. The Bills need to work on a backup plan to replace him. Rankins could play defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme or he could play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme which is the scheme that the Bills plan to use more often next season.
This offseason, the Bills cut defensive end Mario Williams, they did not tender a contract to defensive tackle Stefan Charles who signed with the Detroit Lions and they tendered restricted free agent defensive tackle Corbin Bryant but he can still sign with another team. Adding more depth to their defensive line is the way to go in the first round and the Bills could use a versatile three-down player like Sheldon Rankins.
More from BuffaLowDown
- Buffalo Bills got it right by selecting O’Cyrus Torrence in the 2023 NFL Draft
- Grading Buffalo Bills drafting Dorian Williams in 2023 NFL Draft
- Grading Buffalo Bills drafting O’Cyrus Torrence in 2023 NFL Draft
- Fred Jackson set to announce Round 2 draft pick for the Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo Bills Draft: Explosive playmakers to target on Day 2
He has extremely quick feet for a man of his size which is part of the reason for his versatility. He is powerful and compact with a strong lower body. He can rush up the middle or he can use his quickness when rushing around the edge. He’s exactly the type of player a defense-obsessed coach like Rex Ryan would love to have on his team. If he’s on the board when the Bills pick at number #19 they should waste no time drafting Sheldon Rankins.
Some other players that we considered selecting at this position for the Bills include Leonard Floyd (LB), Robert Nkemdiche (DT), Vonn Bell (S), Jarran Reed (DT), Noah Spence (DE), and Andrew Billings (DT).
Next: See Picks 20 - 26