WaterfallJumper
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
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Taylor Rapp – SS Washington.
Rapp did everything at the combine but his 40 yard time. His broad jump was the one bad event at only 115 inches. Everything else was good. His quickness tested very well with a 3.99 20YS (the best) and a 6.82 3CT. While I would like to wait on his 40 yard dash, at this point I don't think it would be accurate to his play speed as he probably focused on nothing but that for the past month, and I don't feel like waiting till April.
The tape was interesting to watch. Truly a jack of all trades. He played single high, zone, man, in the box and even rushed the QB a few times. He didn't look out of place doing any of it, but his best trait is his ability to play man. That is his big selling point as a safety at the next level and why he should go higher than a mid round selection. He can cover his man both vertically and in the slot and looks good doing both. You don't see many safeties who can do it at this level. Add that into his ability to do everything else and now you're talking.
I want to be clear. This safety class and these players do not make me as excited as last year. But this class has a lot going for it. I think Rapp fits better as a strong safety than a FS. I don't think he has the pure speed needed to play deep at the NFL level effectively. It would be a waste of his main area of strength. A smart versatile player who looks ready to contribute and do whatever you want him to do. His draw back is much of his game is (I think) only serviceable at the next level, which makes me less excited about his versatility. If you want to get value out of him he should be in coverage about half the time while mixing and matching the other half to try to confuse the defense. If he does that I think he'll have a good but not great career. Grade 5.9
That's probably accurate. Rapp is a good watch. He's not as fun as some others (Savage and Abram are the big hitters, for example, and that's not really Rapp's game), but he's a heady, clean player who can do a little bit of everything at a high enough level to not be a liability. I think could do really well in our multiple defense. I think I'm a little bit more excited about his potential than you are, but not by a lot. I'd probably give him a 6 on your grading scale. I could see him taking over for Chung in the future.