Former Rams safety Taylor Rapp is signing with Denver, per multiple reports. The seven-year veteran has 12 career interceptions and has started numerous games since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2019, including a pivotal role on the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning defense.
Rapp’s latest move marks the latest chapter in a tumultuous few weeks. He initially joined Denver in August but was released less than a week later. The back-and-forth began after a standout start to his career with Los Angeles, where he spent his first four NFL seasons. Rapp developed into a regular starter and was part of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI championship team after being selected by the club in the 2019 draft.
Now, the seven-year veteran will attempt to work his way back to an active roster in Denver. The Broncos had signed him on August 20, adding an experienced option to a safety group that includes Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga. Denver noted his career totals at the time: 72 career starts, 12 interceptions, 31 passes defensed, and 488 tackles.
Six days after signing, Denver released Rapp in a pair of corresponding roster moves. The decision was explained by head coach Sean Payton as requiring a brief period away for a personal matter, with Payton indicating there was a strong likelihood Rapp would return.
That return has arrived, with Rapp now joining Denver on the practice squad setup. The veteran is also coming off an injury-shortened season, having spent time on injured reserve with a knee issue after six starts for another team prior to his release.
Rapp’s most substantial NFL tenure remains with the Rams. Drafted No. 61 overall out of Washington in 2019, he produced 100 tackles, two interceptions, and a touchdown as a rookie starter. By 2021, he was a regular in the lineup, starting all 17 regular-season games of the championship season and ending with 94 tackles, four interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. He continued as a starter the following year, tallying 92 tackles and two interceptions across 16 games.
After departing the Rams following the 2022 season, Rapp signed with Buffalo, where he spent three seasons and contributed as a versatile defender. His renewed presence in Denver provides the Broncos with an experienced option as they navigate the early weeks of the season, with a chance to earn a larger role as health and performance permit.
Rapp’s career includes a Super Bowl ring and a track record as a dependable starter, which the Broncos will look to leverage as they evaluate depth in the secondary. While the current arrangement places him on the practice squad, his experience and instincts could position him for opportunities to contribute during the season.
In summary, Taylor Rapp is back in Denver, continuing a professional journey that began with a championship run in Los Angeles and now seeks to add value to a Broncos defense heading into a new campaign.
