Taylor Rapp Signing with Bills

[Ethan in Cleveland]

With this signing and many signs pointing that Hamlin will be back, have to think safety is off the table for the draft.

Now MLB and puke in my mouth DL again will probably be chosen with two of the top 4 picks.  I can live with that if they still get WR and OT in the first three rounds. They seem to have done enough to address IOL in free agency. Still need an OT to push Brown and possibly be Dawkins replacement in 2024.

[Beck Water]

Just now, Coach55 said:

Contingency plan on Micah Hyde's return?

 

Possibly a replacement for Damar Hamlin or Jaquan Johnson

We need depth.

Also, a young player they could train up in their system and re-sign if he works out.

 

Spotrac gave him a market value of $10M/yr - 3 years. $30M

 

Did anyone else read McDermott's comments about supporting Damar Hamlin?

https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/03/26/bills-sean-mcdermott-vows-total-support-damar-hamlin-comeback

 

Quote

“The best thing we can do is support him all the way through this, and that is a big piece of it that is, mind, body and spirit. It’s just not physically like, hey in the weight room, it’s the mental piece as well,” McDermott told NFL Network’s Judy Battista. 

 

He added, “I’m ready to support him in any direction he decides to go, even if it’s last minute.”

 

McDermott speaking as though Hamlin may not make up his mind one way or the other until just before the season, which means the team really needs other plans at Safety.  Maybe this signing is a signal that Hamlin is leaning towards "no" at this time, or at least a season off.

[Fixxxer]

15 minutes ago, SCBills said:

This seems super random...

 

Played with Von Miller with the Rams, I'm sure Beane asked Miller what type of person and player Rapp is. 

[MrEpsYtown]

He has really struggled in coverage in the past, but he is really good around the line of scrimmage. But its functional depth considering both safeties are older. I do trust McDermott when it comes to DBs. Maybe they play some big nickel? That has been a conversation pice on this board for a while here. 

 

Rapp did play some linebacker in the Ram's nickel sets. If you were, for instance going to draft a Jack Cambell-type linebacker, you might protect him for a year by subbing a guy like Rapp in pass situations. Maybe? I don't know. I like Rapp, good dude, seems like a weird fit with how we play our safeties. But maybe he took less money and just wants to be a part of it. That's a good thing. 

[Shanahan's Horseshoe]

This is an awesome signing.  Phenomenal depth piece, super versatile.  He was the heart and soul of that UW team that made the playoff.  Love it

[NewEra]

If this means Cam Lewis gets cut 

[Mat68]

I think LB is a need a but not a necessity.  Get more multiple on defense.  Milano and Edmunds we both too good to take off the field.  Nickel was the best guys playing but it also made them predictable.  They put on tape every wrinkle they could come up with.  Using more dime, more 4-3 I think will actually make the defense better.  

[Nephilim17]

He'll get to learn from two great but aging (and sometimes injured) safeties. If he doesn't see the field much this year, that's ok for both sides. Good to have a younger player with upside in the system.

 

[Rc2catch]

Given the age and health of the starting safeties it’s a pretty solid pickup to snag a guy with that much starting experience to such a cheap deal. I would feel much more comfortable if he’s forced to play than if we had to trot Marlowe or Johnson back out there 

[Royale with Cheese]

13 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

And yet, the Rams won the 2021 superbowl with Rapp starting 17 games.

Go Figgur how such a stupid team with such bad personnel evaluation that the "average fan" can do better pulled that off.

 

Honestly, do you ever logically think through what you're posting here?

 

He views McDermott/Beane through scorned eyes.  He jumped all over the thread when Draftkings had us at 10.5 wins because it's looked as a step back.

But when they still have the Bills as #3 Super Bowl favorites, they aren't legit and Vegas just wants low hanging fruit.  So Draftkings is legit and non-legit at the same time with the Bills.

[DrDawkinstein]

4 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

With this signing and many signs pointing that Hamlin will be back, have to think safety is off the table for the draft.

Now MLB and puke in my mouth DL again will probably be chosen with two of the top 4 picks.  I can live with that if they still get WR and OT in the first three rounds. They seem to have done enough to address IOL in free agency. Still need an OT to push Brown and possibly be Dawkins replacement in 2024.

 

Ehh, disagree. Nothing about this signing or Hamlin coming back stops us from drafting a Safety early. It just means we dont HAVE to. Which is how Beane likes to go into the draft. With at least "a guy" plugged into every hole.

 

But if Antonio Johnson is there at 27, or Jordan Battle at 59... I wouldnt be surprised to hear their names.

[ngbills]

Solid player. I like this move - I think McBeane know the odds of Poyer/Hyde missing games is pretty high. Also we may go 3 S since we have no LB's...

 

Now get Hopkins or it does not matter. We need another weapon. 

[Perk71]

I've heard of him 🤙🏼

 

Go Bills!!

[Big Turk]

 

 

[ngbills]

We are moving on from ex-panthers to ex-rams. 

[Yantha]

I'd say that this is the first FA signing that affects our draft needs to a significant level.  Nice move.  I still have safety as a need for the draft, but definitely not so high.

[Beck Water]

6 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

This could set up re-signing AJ Klein for early down work and go with 3 safeties and 3 CBs on passing downs.

 

Intriguing thought.  We were told our new safeties coach Joe Danna did some innovative things with the Texans   That unit was pretty good.

https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/houston-texans-joe-danna-buffalo-bills-hired-safeties-coach-demeco-ryans-josh-allen

 

I'll keep looking for the piece I found, but the conclusion was that the Bills may be changing up their use of LB and S and that Joe Danna and Al Holcomb were brought in to facilitate those changes.

[Virgil]

Solid signing and good depth with Hyde and Poyer's age.  Only 25 years old, so could be a good audition for him to sign longer next offseason

[Beck Water]

2 minutes ago, Yantha said:

I'd say that this is the first FA signing that affects our draft needs to a significant level.  Nice move.  I still have safety as a need for the draft, but definitely not so high.

 

 You may disagree, but many think that signing Connor McGovern and Dave Edwards changed up our draft needs at IOL

 

7 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

He has really struggled in coverage in the past, but he is really good around the line of scrimmage. But its functional depth considering both safeties are older. I do trust McDermott when it comes to DBs. Maybe they play some big nickel? That has been a conversation pice on this board for a while here. 

 

Rapp did play some linebacker in the Ram's nickel sets. If you were, for instance going to draft a Jack Cambell-type linebacker, you might protect him for a year by subbing a guy like Rapp in pass situations. Maybe? I don't know. I like Rapp, good dude, seems like a weird fit with how we play our safeties. But maybe he took less money and just wants to be a part of it. That's a good thing. 

 

So one theory on the Danna and Holcomb coaching hires is that the Bills may intend to change how they play their safeties somewhat.

Edited March 27, 2023 by Beck Water

[Yantha]

Beck Water, yes I'd agree.  I just think that Center is still a significant draft need and I was lumping OG and OC together.

[The Jokeman]

Just now, Yantha said:

Beck Water, yes I'd agree.  I just think that Center is still a significant draft need and I was lumping OG and OC together.

We might add a C/G guy but think you do so in Round 3 at the earliest now as Bates/McGovern both have the ability to play OC as needed. I think we could see a TE or DT early in the draft. 

[ColoradoBills]

12 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

With this signing and many signs pointing that Hamlin will be back, have to think safety is off the table for the draft.

Now MLB and puke in my mouth DL again will probably be chosen with two of the top 4 picks.  I can live with that if they still get WR and OT in the first three rounds. They seem to have done enough to address IOL in free agency. Still need an OT to push Brown and possibly be Dawkins replacement in 2024.

 

I would agree.  They already have 7-8 safeties coming to camp.  One more UFA/UDFA after the draft and they are done.

Hyde

Poyer

Rapp

Hamlin

Lewis (although I will point out Beane's presser comment that Cam is best at backup NCB)

Neal

Anderson

Mayden

I know I'm a broken record and the ultra-pro special team's guys will jump on this, but I have to ask it again.

Is Siran Neal really worth $6.725M for the next 2 seasons?  I think he will have real competition this summer for that position.

 

 

[Logic]

20 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Have to wonder if Rapp saw the Safety market is a disaster this year, sees what the Bills did with Poyer, and decided to see if he can earn a multi-year contract here for the future by joining the Bills for a year.  At least, that's my thought process.   Rapp seemed like an ok starter option in free agency. 

This makes sense to me, too.

If there's one coaching staff in the NFL that has shown it can get great production out of safeties that were previously considered "average", it's Buffalo's. McDermott is the safety whisperer.

Maybe Rapp sees an opportunity to get on the field in sub packages, special teams, and as the first safety off the bench, and then to see if he can impress the staff enough that he can be the future at one of the safety positions in the years to come.

[Beck Water]

5 minutes ago, Yantha said:

Beck Water, yes I'd agree.  I just think that Center is still a significant draft need and I was lumping OG and OC together.

 

Well.  As some know, I'm still salty about Boogie Basham when Creed Humphrey was on the board so I, too, see improvement at C and a long term plan there as a Strong Need.

 

But Morse is still under contract for 2 more years, and the Bills seem to like Bates as a backup C and perhaps McGovern as a 3rd string. 

 

Bottom line, I'm with you, but I don't think the Bills have any plans to draft a C, at least not in the first 4 rounds.

Edited March 27, 2023 by Beck Water

[BillsShredder83]

2 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

 You may disagree, but many think that signing Connor McGovern and Dave Edwards changed up our draft needs at IOL

Love all these signings. I don't think it means dismissing these positions all together, but allows the board to fall to us.

Full BPA is a myth, maybe you reach a smidgen for a position you definitely need before. This takes a bunch of stress off draft day, if the value isn't there at position of need. 

 

Also allows you to maybe take a gamble on a guy with higher ceiling lower floor.

 

Tl:Dr- options options options. Lots of them.

[947]

In Rapp's 3 full seasons, he has averaged 95 tackles & 3 INTs. Wow!

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

22 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Wonder if the Bills are planning on using him in sub packages. Milano and 3 safeties 3 CBs on the back end.

Is that the surrender 8 yards per carry sub package? 

[1onemangang7]

Hamlin probably isn't playing?

[Punching Bag]

33 minutes ago, Green Lightning said:

Maybe we're getting a bum Rapp?

 

Beasley not being signed again so Bills need a Rapper.

 

I can see a free agent safety wanting to go to Buffalo because Coach McD has shown that on his defenses safeties get a lot of attention plus with Hyde questionable and Poyer injury rate going up the new player likely to get a lot of reps.

[MrEpsYtown]

1 minute ago, Beck Water said:

 

Well.  As some know, I'm still salty about Boogie Basham when Creed Humphrey was on the board.  But Morse is still under contract for 2 more years, and the Bills seem to like Bates as a backup C and perhaps McGovern as a 3rd string. 

 

Bottom line, I'm with you, but I don't think the Bills have any plans to draft a C, at least not in the first 4 rounds.

 

I tend to agree with this take. I think they feel good about their starters and depth there. Whether we do or not is irrelevant...

 

But I do think Joe Tippman could be a target in that 2/3 area. He makes sense on a lot of levels and is a long-term play. 

[Beck Water]

Just now, 1onemangang7 said:

Hamlin probably isn't playing?

 

That's what I took out of McDermott's comments in the SI article I linked above - that maybe right now he's leaning "no", or at least if he's leaning "yes" he might decide to change his mind on the way in the door.

[boyst]

33 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

move Poyer into the box on a lot of looks to essentially be the MLB?

@DrDawkinstein

"21 is the mike!  21 is the mike!"

[BeavercreekBillsFan]

Happy this hopefully takes a wasted 1st round pick on a safety off the board. Look’s unfortunately like that 100% means it’s either a DE, DT or LB though. 

[Success]

Probably one of our future safeties.  He brings depth & youth to that unit, and if they end up extending him, can take over as a starter eventually.

 

This is a very interesting FA period for the Bills. I expected almost nothing, but we've really picked up a bunch of very solid players, across the board.

 

[BuffaloRebound]

I highly doubt he’s coming here to strictly be a backup.  McDermott must have a plan to get him on the field or I don’t think he’d be coming to Bills.  

[Johnnyp566]

When McDermott wants a safety I think everyone should perk up a bit. The Poyer signing in 2017 was met with eye rolls as well. 

[SCBills]

Interesting..

 

Cover 1 Air-Raid hit up a Rams podcaster on Twitter and asked about Rapp.   The podcaster said he's up and down at Safety and always saw Rapp as more of a pseudo-linebacker.  

[Captain Hindsight]

34 minutes ago, Coach55 said:

Contingency plan on Micah Hyde's return?

 

Or Hamlin

 

They needed another safety, Rapp has played alot, could do worse for your 3-4th safety 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

7 minutes ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Is that the surrender 8 yards per carry sub package? 

More teams running mostly 11 personnel it makes sense to defend the pass first and worry about the run later.

Why do you want big bodies out there vs 3 WRs and a pass catching TE?

 

[NoSaint]

45 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

isn't this guy starting caliber? 

his contract says the nfl thinks otherwise