Taylor Rapp Signing with Bills

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good tell him to talk Cooper Kupp into coming... 

[Magox]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

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

 

This is what it is.

[1onemangang7]

1 hour ago, Beck Water said:

 

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.

Thanks. I'm working can't get in depth right now. I'll believe it when he plays meaningful minutes. Think he's just gonna be just like an appearance guy at all sorts of events 

[Yantha]

8 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Interesting approach!  How does Hamlin affect your S assessment if he returns?

 

One place where I differ is at WR; I view it as an area where it's difficult to get a true upgrade at the #1-3 position in FA because the position pays such a premium.  In FA, one over-pays for aging talent.  Thus, I view it as a priority to attempt to draft the best guy we can get our hands on.  We haven't drafted a WR above round 4 in 6 years, and we badly need a talent infusion.

 

Don't get me wrong, I like the Harty signing as a high ceiling/low floor shot at #4 and the Sherfield signing as a potential upgrade at #5 since, like Kumerow, he can play teams.  But last season showed me we were far from set at #2 and #3, and our depth/development pipeline is currently nonexistent.

 

Another place where I differ is at DL.  We currently have 3 of last year's 4 DL rotation under contract.  We don't have 2 3TDT of starting caliber on the roster, and unless we plan to extend Oliver, we will have 0 on the roster next season.  So it seems like a fairly basic roster need that has yet to be filled.  I don't agree entirely, but Ryan O'Halloran's TBN piece is pretty good:

https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/ryan-ohalloran-bills-have-stood-pat-on-defensive-line-in-free-agency-an-addition-is/article_a736556e-cbf8-11ed-ac35-2b92af8fa11c.html

 

Hamlin:  I've never seen Hamlin as the heir apparent to Poyer/Hyde, but was very happy with his development.  I feel that Hamlin could continue to develop nicely but that was a very scary situation to say the least.  I'm by no means writing him off, but if a quality safety is staring at us in the draft as BPA, it's hard to pass.

 

I agree that WR is very costly, and agree that the draft is the best way to address it.  I think this is a pretty good draft depth wise for WR talent and would be happy with a third rounder (ideally), but wouldn't pass on a 2nd rounder if they were the BPA as long as MLB was the first round selection.

 

Great points on the contracts of current DT's.  I hadn't thought of that.  Personally I've been hoping for a NOSE tackle, like the big dude from texas.  Blanking on his name right now....

[Straight Hucklebuck]

The bar is/was Damar Hamlin, Jaquan Johnson and Jared Mayden. 

 

The Bills had 0 depth behind Hyde and Poyer, so they're doing something here. 

 

 

Edited March 27, 2023 by Straight Hucklebuck

[Matt_In_NH]

1 hour ago, BillsFanInRaleigh said:

Anyone that gets cut from the Rams should be taken with a grain of salt. They're in cap hell and in way over their heads from a personnel perspective.

 

I read here there is no cap?    Whatever it is, many people here want us to go to cap hell just for 2023.

[streetkings01]

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

And Poyer couldnt even break into the starting lineup of a 4-12 Browns his entire 4 years with the crappy team.

 

Players develop. Change of scenery and scheme could help.

 

Just sayin.

Exactly……Jerry Hughes was considered a bust in Indy now he’s in position to be on the Bills Wall Of Fame when he retires.

[GreggTX]

He's above average, but I think "really good" is overstating it. Still, he's far too good to be riding the pine IMO. I'm guessing he'll be Poyer's replacement if he sticks around after 2023. So we have 3 starter worthy safeties to man 2 places, but only a couple starter worthy offensive linemen to man 5 places. Strange. Anyway, I admire Damar's toughness and spirit, but is significantly better.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 27, 2023 by GreggTX

[gordong]

my guess would be he takes some of the snaps in the middle now that Edmonds is gone

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, SCBills said:

Ed Oliver is the one guy holding me back from wondering how creative we may get at LB.  

 

If we move him and roll with 4 big bodies (FA/Draft) I could definitely see us getting pretty creative in the back 7.... I just don't see how we do that with a guy who already gets washed in certain situations in Oliver. 

 

Oliver gets washed less than the likes of Jordan Phillips and Tim Settle who are both much bigger. The "Ed struggles against the run" thing is like two years out of date. In 2021 he was our best run defending DT and last year okay, Jones was #1 but Ed was comfortably #2. 

[JohnBonhamRocks]

15 minutes ago, streetkings01 said:

Exactly……Jerry Hughes was considered a bust in Indy now he’s in position to be on the Bills Wall Of Fame when he retires.

It’s really too bad that Jerry would be a needed addition to our current DE room. Just the way it worked out with the timing of Miller’s arrival and otherwise youth movement at the position, and I’d bet he’s happy to be back in Texas. But dang, Hughes as a second/third best pass rusher would be beyond solid.

 

- - - 

 

Rapp figures to be one of the key signings to our offseason imho. Something about his addition and the switch to McD calling plays has me feeling he will be involved way more than your typical 3rd safety. 

[Freddie's Dead]

 

[gonzo1105]

McDermott might finally be bringing back the Big Nickel defense that we thought the Bills were going to run when he first came on and never came to fruition. He has the size profile that you would typically like out of that position. 

 

A guy that I really like that could be a late round steal as a Big Nickel candidate is a kid by the name of Marte Mapu from Sacramento State. Just recently tore his pec tho and might miss some of the 2023 season. 

Edited March 27, 2023 by gonzo1105

[GunnerBill]

He has been a disappointment in the NFL Rapp but there is talent there. As a low price gamble I like it. 

[Warriorspikes51]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

He has been a disappointment in the NFL Rapp but there is talent there. As a low price gamble I like it. 

Averaging 95 tackles and 3 ints per season is one heck of a disappointment....

[Coach Tuesday]

56 minutes ago, ytownblofan said:

Just imagining Mac Jones walking up to the center and starting to read the defense. Looking across the line, he sees Von Miller in a track stance, gulps, then scans the rest of the defense and sees Milano, Rapp, Po, and Micah all casually walking toward the line and he has no idea who is coming. Puts a big smile on my face thinking how quickly he is going to throw the ball directly into the ground or pick the wrong blitzer and be shocked when *insert Bill here* gets a free release on him

Suspect he’ll just audible to a run…

[hondo in seattle]

McD likes versatile safeties.  Both Hyde and Power can play strong or weak.  That makes it easier to disguise the defense.   When either is off the field, our D becomes more predictable.  

 

Rapp isn't exactly in the Hyde or Poyer mold, but he is versatile.  

[GunnerBill]

9 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Averaging 95 tackles and 3 ints per season is one heck of a disappointment....

 

Averaging 72% completion % against and a passer rating in coverage of over 98 is. 

[C.Biscuit97]

As a former S (got moved to OLB thanks to the weight room/ and also blowing several coverages 😬), I am kinda an expert on the position. Loved the Hyde and Poyer signings (check the tapes!!!). 

 

so i kinda love this signing. loved him in a college. the ultimate ballhawk and will compete in the run game.  not the best coverage but i trust mcdermott to coach him up. 

 

i think it is a great depth signing and give the age/ injury history of our starters, i think it could be a really good under the radar signing. also, excited to have a part asian guy on the team as well!

[Scott7975]

Weird use of resources considering the holes elsewhere on the team.

[C.Biscuit97]

3 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Averaging 72% completion % against and a passer rating in coverage of over 98 is. 

He is definitely not the best in coverage but these stats can be very misleading. Most safeties will get destroyed in one on one coverage. 
 

I think McDermott might be the best d back coach in the nfl. I think he will get the best version of Rapp. 

[Warriorspikes51]

 

[Blank Stare]

Certainly can’t say it about all of their additions over the last few years, but I don’t question McD’s ability to identify and get the best out of his corners and safeties. He has a pretty successful track record with those positions and has earned at least that much. 

[ndirish1978]

2 hours 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's quoting the article, isn't he?

[gonzo1105]

Just now, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

 

Yup at this point its really like sign here for under 2 million and we'll give you a chance to hit the market next year with higher value. 

[BarleyNY]

Low risk signing with some real upside. Nice. 

[TOboy]

Everybody taking the Trubisky! 
 

Love it! 

[TBBills Fan]

He has a football player type name, so Im all for it

[mjt328]

4 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

Weird use of resources considering the holes elsewhere on the team.

 

Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are aging, so we need to have a plan after they are gone.

Hyde is also coming back from a neck injury, which is always questionable.

Damar Hamlin has been cleared physically, but you have to wonder about the mental aspect.

Jaquan Johnson signed with the Raiders, and Siran Neal is still a free agent.

 

Safety was a bigger need than many are giving it credit for.

[GunnerBill]

 

7 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

He is definitely not the best in coverage but these stats can be very misleading. Most safeties will get destroyed in one on one coverage. 
 

I think McDermott might be the best d back coach in the nfl. I think he will get the best version of Rapp. 

 

Trust me with Rapp they have not been deceiving. There have been times where he has been a liability. 

 

I agree I think the Bills will get more out of him. Talent wise he is streets ahead of Jaquan, Damar, Lewis and Marlowe who all played meaningful snaps in 2022. I like the signing. It is a buy low gamble on natural talent. 

[Saint Doug]

10 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

Weird use of resources considering the holes elsewhere on the team.

Did you not watch the 2022 NFL season? Here’s a recap: Hyde suffered a career-threatening cervical injury, Poyer who started strong but was injured a bunch and was a non-factor late in the season, and a guy who died on the field after making a hit. We need safety depth. It was going to come via FA or early in the draft, but it was bound to come. 

[wppete]

I like this, better backup at safety than we had last year. It’s an upgrade. Hopefully he can play special teams. 

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

If he blows a coverage, will he get the rap ?

[C.Biscuit97]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

 

Trust me with Rapp they have not been deceiving. There have been times where he has been a liability. 

 

I agree I think the Bills will get more out of him. Talent wise he is streets ahead of Jaquan, Damar, Lewis and Marlowe who all played meaningful snaps in 2022. I like the signing. It is a buy low gamble on natural talent. 

That’s fair. Loved this guy in college and has played in some big games. At worst, a quality, veteran backup. 

[Gigs]

3 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

And Poyer couldnt even break into the starting lineup of a 4-12 Browns his entire 4 years with the crappy team.

 

Players develop. Change of scenery and scheme could help.

 

Just sayin.

People forget that the best safety tandem in the league, even at 31, were just Packer and Brown re-treads. They just happen to be exactly what McDermott needed at safety. 

[Shaw66]

3 hours ago, Logic said:

I'm not understanding why a 2nd round pick in his 5th year, just entering his prime, would sign with a team that's already set at its two starting safety positions.

It must mean he either didn't have better options elsewhere on the market, OR...perhaps this is sort of a one year "let's see if you're the future at this position" type signing. See how he does as the third safety on the field and how he picks up the system, and then maybe he replaces Hyde next season.

Huh. I'm happy to sign safety depth, but a little bit perplexed.

Edit: Or maybe he just stinks. That's definitely a possibility.

I think this a Mitch Trubisky signing.   A guy with talent needs a reset, so he takes a one-year deal in a situation when he can do that.  

 

Hyde and Poyer won't be her forever, so if he shows he can operate in the system, then he becomes one of the successors at safety.  He won't have started in Buffalo (absent injury), so the other teams won't know how good he is.   That means his price in the open market will be low, just like Trubisky's was.   That means if they like what they see this season, they will be able to lock him up longer term at a relatively low price.  

[No_Matter_What]

1 hour ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

"per season"? 

[Kenosha2Buffalo]

It's a upgrade behind po and Hyde forsure 

[NeverOutNick]

5 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

"per season"? 

It’s a one year deal

[hondo in seattle]

PFF sometimes divides safeties like this:  Coverage Free, Match Strong, Box Slot.  They rank safeties in each category.  But there's a fourth category they use:  "All Around."   Here's how they ranked the All Around safeties prior to last season:

 

 

 

They went on to say:  "Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer each fit into this category for the Buffalo Bills and together may form the best safety duo in the league. Each can line up anywhere they are needed within the scheme and playing next to one another is clearly a force multiplier for their success. Buffalo runs a scheme that puts them in position to succeed, but they take advantage of it extremely well on their own."

 

With Hyde and Poyer showing some fragility, it makes sense to get another safety.  Rapp seems like another All Around guy.  He can play - and has played - Free, Strong, and Box in his career.  If he needs to fill in for Hyde or Poyer, we don't need to change our defense nor do we become more predictable.  

 

www.pff.com/news/nfl-safety-rankings-tiers-2022