Stealing versatility in NFL Draft: Taylor Rapp...

Stealing Versatility In The NFL Draft: Taylor Rapp

Zachary Webb

[www.sportsaldente.com]

Taylor Rapp’s
Versatility + Development

Steal Of The Draft
Los Angeles’ 2019 draft class began with highlighting the versatility of Washington Safety Taylor Rapp. With the 2nd round trade back the Rams selected a player Daniel Jeremiah said was “the most reliable tackler of the draft”.

The Rams selected Rapp who has much-needed versatility paired with a pedigree to develop for their future.
The Los Angeles Rams defensive secondary struggled mightily during the 2018 season. Culminating in a close Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. Rapp brings experience from Washington as he was the 7th Huskies defensive back taken in the last two drafts. It’s odd to call a 2nd round pick a steal, but Taylor Rapp was identified as a Top 5 safety in the draft.

Science Of The Slide
Taylor’s shortfall to the backend of the 2nd round came from a high 40 yard dash time (4.76).

Scouts will look at it as a detractor as the NFL is overflowing with hybrid offenses featuring some of the flashiest athletes ever.

Players considered slow in relation to timed drills sometimes slide under the radar.

Rapp projects out as a sub package box safety, & a reliable member of the special teams unit. He was compared by some to his new teammate Eric Weddle during some pre/post-draft analysis, and by others to Harrison Smith.

The University of Washington has been a perpetual top 10-15 team the last 2-3 seasons and Rapp was a valued member. He’s been part of a quality program that has important postseason experience year in and year out.

Taylor played the role of the leader with high tier players, and now he joins the likes of Talib, Peters, Weddle, and Johnson.

Numbers Never Lie, Production Pays
His statistics from a detailed perspective shows his versatility as well as impact.

In 2018 he was first in tackling efficiency via Pro Football Focus, missing 1 in every 55 tackles this previous season. That’s a promising DB when facing the likes of Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barkley, Zach Ertz, and Russell Wilson.

Rapp doesn’t solely boast the ability to make tackles, he also brings the ability to be productive in coverage. His impact in the passing game was big. This past season Taylor Rapp forced incompletions on 27.8 % of targets (highest in PAC12 for safeties) while allowing only 2.9 yds per target in coverage in 2018(2nd among FBS safeties).

Numbers Never Lie, Production Pays
His statistics from a detailed perspective shows his versatility as well as impact.

In 2018 he was first in tackling efficiency via Pro Football Focus, missing 1 in every 55 tackles this previous season. That’s a promising DB when facing the likes of Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barkley, Zach Ertz, and Russell Wilson.

Rapp doesn’t solely boast the ability to make tackles, he also brings the ability to be productive in coverage. His impact in the passing game was big. This past season Taylor Rapp forced incompletions on 27.8 % of targets (highest in PAC12 for safeties) while allowing only 2.9 yds per target in coverage in 2018(2nd among FBS safeties).

Star Washington safety awaits promising future
Draft Scout Opinions
Draft Scouts Joel Klatt, Charles Davis, and Daniel Jeremiah all agreed he (Rapp) would have been a first-round pick if he ran a 40 in the high 4.4’s. Rams fans should be very hopeful not only for the team’s chances this season but for the development of prospects like this.

Eric Weddle is a temporary bandage that’s talented but aged to an extent. Not often do you get the chance to draft a great player with a vet to lead the way in the beginning years. Both play a similar style which takes some of the pressures off Rapp. He can take his time to develop before he is thrown into the starting rotation.

We can continue to take a look around the league for comparable secondary playmakers. Players like New England’s Devin McCourty compare to Taylor Rapp as he doesn’t overly show up as a flashy playmaker but he makes his flashes by doing his job and making the plays that come his way.

Having signed Eric Weddle as I mentioned is a bonus not forcing Rapp to have to immediately step in. From a need standpoint, it gives him the chance to truly develop his understanding of his physicality and ability as a pro.

Expectations Vs. Evaluations
Don’t expect Rapp to struggle much when he is on the field, as he’s played quality minutes against a variety of high potency offenses in the PAC-12.

Realistic expectations for Rapp should be 15-25 tackles as a sub-defender (he had 59 as a starter at Washington in 2018).

Don’t expect a high volume of interceptions as he’s a better force defender (Box SS) than a cover player. His ability in pass defense with seven interceptions and seven pass break-ups leaves a lot to be desired. Playing in a secondary with multiple high tier defenders explains the lack of opportunities. If things progress positively look to see Rapp replace Eric Weddle possibly by next season while earning his role as a fill-in force this coming season.