The Denver Broncos officially signed former second-round pick Taylor Rapp on Thursday, adding veteran depth to their safety position. After spending three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Rapp became a free agent, and his road back to the field after last year’s injury is a wild story.
From Montlake Dominance to Super Bowl Glory
He was an absolute force for the University of Washington Huskies. Rapp was a *starter* as a freshman, snagging the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Award in 2016. Can you believe that? He kept that momentum going, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2017 and 2018. His college career put Rapp on the map as a legitimate NFL prospect, leading him to forego his senior season and enter the draft following his junior year.
The Los Angeles Rams selected him with the 61st overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He played out his rookie contract in LA. And get this: he won a Super Bowl! Rapp was a key part of the Rams’ 2021 championship team, which included Broncos legend Von Miller. He was a *starting* safety in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals, racking up seven tackles, tied for second-most on the team. Rapp also boasts 12 career interceptions, with at least one pick in every year of his career, except for last season.
The Road Back: Buffalo Heartbreak and Denver’s Bet
That “except for last season” part is where things got tough. Rapp’s time with the Buffalo Bills came to an abrupt end last October when a knee injury shut him down for the remainder of the season. That injury required surgery, and the Bills released him in March. To go from a Super Bowl starter to a free agent dealing with rehab is a brutal road.
The Broncos obviously see something special, though. By signing him now, they’ve clearly given him a clean bill of health after such a significant injury and surgery. Rapp has generally been a durable player, but at 28 years old, his health and ability to bounce back are something to keep a close eye on. He could step right in as the primary backup safety behind starters Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, offering veteran depth to that Broncos secondary.
With just two preseason games left, Rapp has to show he’s ready to roll. It’ll be fascinating to see how quickly he gets up to speed and if he can return to that Super Bowl form for his new squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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