Analysis: New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins returned to the lineup in Week 4 after ardent rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Rankins played in 10 games, recording two sacks, 10 tackles, five quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss. Rankins' season was cut short once again due to an ankle injury. In a vote by his teammates, Rankins was honored as the club's 2019 recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, which is presented to a player from all 32 NFL teams who best exemplifies the principles of sportsmanship and courage. The award is presented to players who conduct themselves as role models in their community.

Best game: Rankins' best game came against the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving night, during Week 13. He recorded three tackles, one sack, and two quarterback hits, while just playing 53 percent of the defensive snaps. The Saints would go on to win 26-18.

Best quote: "Listen, everyone went out there and executed the game plan to a T. And I said this last year, when everybody is on the same page on this defense, we're pretty hard to move the ball against, period… This defense when we are clicking on all cylinders, teams are going to have to find ways to move the ball on us, and we pride ourselves on that so for us moving forward it's all about playing with that kind of consistency." – Rankins