Martinas

Rankin

Rankin was waived to make room on the roster for Darrius Shepherd. He only appeared in one game last year, starting at left tackle in a Week 17 game that saw a handful of Kansas City’s starters resting for the playoffs. Rankin played the left guard position for Kansas City in 2019. He began the 2020 season on the PUP list and was frequently kept off the gameday roster even when healthy. Rankin wasn’t going to start for the Chiefs this year but could have been a viable backup at tackle. However, he did not appear at OTAs or mandatory minicamp. If he clears waivers, Rankins will be a solid option at tackle or guard for a team in need of offensive line depth and versatility.

Fisher and Schwartz, locked-in starters at left and right tackle, are believed to have been close-contacts of Rankin, which would allow both to return following five consecutive days of negative tests. The Chiefs are fully expected to travel and play in Las Vegas this upcoming Sunday.

Rankin suffered a serious right knee injury in the Chiefs’ Week 10 loss to the Titans. Rankin was acquired from the Texans just before the season started and wound up starting five games.

Starting RT Mitchell Schwartz, who had astonishingly played 7,894 consecutive snaps, exited in the second quarter, ultimately shifting Rankin to the right side of Kansas City’s line. The latter was knocked out on the very next play once his knee buckled. The Chiefs are also down Eric Fisher in their Week 10 matchup.

Rankin drew a handful of rookie-year starts, but didn’t move the needle much, earning negative grades across the board from Pro Football Focus. It’s telling that the Texans, who are still rather thin up front, were willing to throw in the towel on Rankin after just one season. Despite an underwhelming tenure in Houston, the 2018 third-rounder should land on his feet. He could play guard in a pinch.

The Texans were expected to waive Rankin ahead of final roster cuts, but instead they found a last-minute suitor in Kansas City while also addressing a position of need by adding Hyde to their backfield mix. The third-round sophomore tried his hand at tackle last year, but the Texans quickly realized he was better equipped to play guard. We’re guessing the Chiefs will use him in a similar capacity.

Rankin struggled everywhere he played last season, but he looked overmatched during a three-game stint at left tackle early in the year. With Matt Kalil, Julie’n Davenport, and Seantrel Henderson at tackle, Rankin should kick in to guard this season.

Rankin (6’4/308) spent two years as a Bulldog after transferring from JUCO, mainly manning left tackle and earning first-team All-SEC from the conference’s coaches as a senior. Old-ish for a rookie (24 in October) but exceptionally bright, Rankin twice earned SEC Academic Honor Roll and has dabbled at all five positions on the line. Most NFL scouts viewed Rankin as a guard or even center before the draft. NFL.com O-Line guru Lance Zierlein compared Rankin to underrated Seahawks C Justin Britt. Still, Houston’s glaring tackle need suggests Rankin may get a chance to stay at his college position, at least initially.

Rankins missed the start of camp while recovering from foot surgery. He passed his physical and should resume practicing on Monday. The missed practice time hurts Rankin’s chances of beginning the year as a starter, though he still has about three weeks to prove himself to the coaching staff.

A ‘tweener who is starting out his career at tackle, Rankin is recovering from foot surgery. He is expected to be ready some time between the start of camp and Week 1. Rankin, though undersized, could have been in the mix for a starting tackle job, but the injury probably takes him out of the running.