APPROVED IN: Bengals finally signed Sheldon Rankins on blockbuster for one year contract…

Sheldon Rankins is reportedly signing with the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals are once again eligible to sign free agents, and this time, they are in perhaps the most need.

The Bengals and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, previously of the Houston Texans, were reportedly getting close to an agreement, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN on Wednesday.

As per Mike Garafolo, the trade is finalized now. The $26 million contract is for two years. According to Fowler, Houston was trying to re-sign Rankins prior to him choosing the Bengals.

The Louisville Cardinals selected the 6-foot-2, 305-pound Rankins with the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, which went to the New Orleans Saints. Rankins played with the Texans this past season after spending five years in the Bayou. He also played for the New York Jets for two years.

Rankins led the AFC South-winning Texans in 2023 with 37 tackles, 10 QB hits, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 15 games in which he started. His career-best pass-rushing score of 76.7 helped him achieve a Pro Football Focus grade of 64.2.

Throughout his career, Rankins has made 228 tackles, 68 QB hits, 43 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 109 games (66 starts).

This defense needed to locate a new defensive lineman immediately because DJ Reader is a free agent and will be visiting the Detroit Lions on Thursday. Rankins is not going to be a better option than Reader was in Cincinnati. Even if Rankins is more of a Larry Ogunjobi-type defensive lineman, this is a smart move that should help assure the defensive tackle slot does not become a liability.