The Broncos have added another veteran piece to a defense that already looks loaded, and this one comes with a Super Bowl ring.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Denver is signing safety Taylor Rapp, who most recently played for the Buffalo Bills and also spent time with the Los Angeles Rams. Schefter reported Thursday morning ahead of Preseason Week 2 for Denver: "Former Bills safety Taylor Rapp signed today with the Denver Broncos,"
Rapp enters a safety group that already has Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones at the top of the depth chart. That duo gives the Broncos a strong starting tandem, and the main remaining question was depth. With Rapp now in the mix, Denver has addressed that area with a proven veteran.
The 28-year-old was drafted by the Rams in the second round, No. 61 overall, in 2019. He was part of the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2021, and that season also marked the best stretch of his career, when he came up with four interceptions.
His most recent stop was Buffalo, where he appeared in just six games last season. Even so, his body of work over seven NFL seasons is substantial: 92 games played, 72 starts.
Rapp’s career numbers show a player who has done a little bit of everything in the secondary. He has 12 interceptions, one pick-six, 31 passes defended, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two sacks, 488 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits. His rookie year alone included 100 tackles.
In coverage, he has allowed a 91.0 passer rating for his career. That number was 78.6 last season, though it rose to 109.2 in 2024.
For Denver, the move adds another experienced option behind Hufanga and Jones, with JL Skinner, Devon Key, Miles Scott, Tycen Anderson, and Parker Robertson also in the mix for depth roles. It’s a straightforward addition, but one that gives the Broncos more security and flexibility in the back end.
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