New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Monday that the club has signed defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, the club’s first round draft pick (12th overall), wide receiver Michael Thomas, a second-round draft pick (47th overall) and running back Daniel Lasco, a seventh-round draft choice (237th overall), to four-year contracts. The club has also released running back Vick Ballard, defensive end Phillip Hunt and fullback Toben Opurum.
Rankins (6-2, 305) was selected by New Orleans in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Louisville.