The regular season has come to a close, and most teams have already begun the complicated process of preparing for the 2023 season. As the new league year approaches, we'll be covering the impending free agents most capable of shifting the balance of power in the NFL.
The Player: Taylor Rapp
Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor Rapp's career year got lost in the shuffle of a disastrous 2023 season for his team. The Rams crashed back to earth after their Super Bowl LVI win despite Rapp's 92 total tackles and a 76.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He has improved steadily since coming into the league as a second-round pick in 2019, but he'll have to hope savvy teams can look past his team's struggles.
The Fit:
Rapp is a reliable, versatile defensive back with solid size (6'0", 208 lbs) and exceptional quickness (3.99 20-yard shuttle, 6.82 three-cone drill). He has also been relatively durable, appearing in 57 of a possible 66 games since 2019. He would make sense on one of the many, many teams that have tabbed a former Sean McVay disciple in a prominent role on their coaching staff.
The Contract:
Rapp was a relatively high draft pick and has grown into a solid starter, so he should fetch a handsome deal in free agency. He avoided the franchise tag and isn't a superstar at his position, so he shouldn't reset the market. However, a deal that recognizes him as an above-average safety would be appropriate. He'll probably land between Amani Hooker's three-year, $30 million pact with the Tennessee Titans and Quandre Diggs' three-year, $39 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
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