Summary

Taylor Rapp was selected in Round 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft (#61 Overall) out of the University of Washington. A highly instinctive and productive collegiate safety, Rapp was a two-year starter for the Huskies, finishing his college career with 168 tackles, 7 interceptions, 4 sacks, and 13 passes defended, while earning First-Team All-Pac-12 honors. In the NFL, Rapp has played meaningful roles with the Rams and Buffalo Bills, appearing in 90+ career games through the 2024 season and contributing as a starter, rotational safety, and core special teams player. He was part of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI championship team and has since become a reliable piece of Buffalo’s secondary. Rapp is widely regarded as a high-character, intelligent, and professional veteran, praised for preparation, toughness, versatility, and willingness to embrace defined roles in complex defensive systems.

Strengths

• Swiss Army Knife: Quickly diagnoses route concepts, run fits, and blocking schemes. Experience at strong safety, split safety, nickel, and dime roles.

• It’s a Rapp: Strong angles and consistent wrap-up technique allow very little wiggle room for receivers to break tackles.

• Run Support: Physical downhill presence and effective filling alleys. Times pressures well and finishes when unblocked.

• Puppeteer: Vocal organizer who helps align secondary pre-snap and mitigates busts in the back end. Understands spacing and leverage responsibilities.

Weaknesses

• Top-End Speed: Limited deep range compared to true single-high safeties. Must be deliberate in his steps with a narrow margin for error if beaten vertically.

• Man Coverage vs. Speed: Can be stressed by fast slot receivers and tight ends. Relies on anticipation rather than sudden burst.

• Ball Production Ceiling: More disruptive than turnover-heavy.

• Injury History: Has missed time earlier in career and his durability must be monitored.

Outlook

Rapp is an excellent fit for Buffalo’s disciplined, zone-based defensive system, which values communication, versatility, and physicality at the safety position. He profiles best as a strong safety or rotational starter, where he can play downhill, support the run, and operate effectively in split-safety looks without being overexposed as a deep middle defender. His cerebral approach to the game will help allow Buffalo to disguise coverages and maintain structural integrity. Looking ahead, Rapp projects as a high-floor starting safety or premium depth defender with strong situational value. While athletic limitations cap elite upside, his football IQ, toughness, and versatility give him reliable every-down potential in the right usage. For a contending team like Buffalo, Rapp provides winning-value consistency, leadership, and flexibility, making him a dependable piece of a playoff-caliber secondary.