Predicting Denver Broncos first three signings of NFL free agency

3. Sheldon Rankins, DT

A former first-round draft pick by Sean Payton back in 2016, Sheldon Rankins can help temporarily fill a huge position of need for the Denver Broncos, along the defensive line. Rankins, 30 in April, broke into the league in 2016 and has played for the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and Houston Texans.

Rankins has showed some respectable ability to rush from the defensive interior, as he hit six sacks in 2023, along with nine tackles for loss and 10 QB hits. His best year was in 2018, when he had eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 15 QB hits. It's pretty clear that the Denver Broncos desperately need some stability along the interior, and Rankins isn't going to break the bank.

He's also simply a quality football player and has been on a plethora of winning teams during his career, which also includes appearing in seven playoff games. Sheldon Rankins played in a one year deal with the Houston Texans this year, and while the Texans do have cap space to re-sign him, they could opt to go in a different direction.

Even though the Broncos have cleared a good bit of cap space, and even though they have enough to splurge on a player or two, they should still strive to make some smart but modest free agency additions, and Rankins fits that mold. As I type these words, DJ Jones is still somehow on the roster.

The Broncos should cut Jones and add Rankins into the mix, along with potentially making other additions along the defensive front.