Bills veteran safety Taylor Rapp has only been with Buffalo for two years but he’s making a big impact in the reworked secondary. Last season was the final year featuring veteran stalwarts Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, and Tre’Davious White. All three moved on before the 2024 season, opening holes in the starting lineup.
Rapp started for the Los Angeles Rams for four years, winning a Super Bowl with the squad in 2022. He signed as a free agent last year, backing up Poyer. Injuries thrust the Washington product into the starting lineup last year. The roster changes once again provided a starting role for Rapp, one in which he’s proven his worth to the Bills defense.
In five games this season, the sixth-year safety has 21 tackles and four passes defended. On the surface, the numbers don’t look flashy like having three interceptions with two returned for touchdowns. In his own return from injury in Week 6 against the New York Jets, however, his efforts helped the Bills hold on against the division rivals.
Rapp recorded eight tackles and three passes defended in Buffalo’s 23-20 win on Monday night. One of those tackles preserved Buffalo’s lead when he wrapped up Jets running back Breece Hall after he broke several tackles and nearly scored.
The tackle inside the five forced the Jets to settle for a field goal early in the third quarter. Rapp also broke up a key pass to Garrett Wilson in the end zone in the third quarter. Pass defenses count even more when they prevent points from going on the board.
Bills Taylor Rapp Proving his Worth to Secondary in 2024
Fitting into the Remade Secondary
With so many key pieces moving on, there was a lot of production to replace. Due to previous experience as a productive starter in Los Angeles, Rapp helped Buffalo maintain a 15th-ranked passing defense this year. Replacing one key piece can often hurt a unit. Replacing three could outright force a change of strategy.
Due to Rapp’s style and dependability as both a starter (with the Rams) and a backup (with the Bills last year), Sean McDermott knew what to expect with a new starting safety. Rapp wasn’t the only other player who had to step up this year.
Cam Lewis has been with Buffalo since 2020 but has primarily been a backup. He’s tied with Damar Hamlin for the second-most tackles on the team with 38. Hamlin played one full season after being drafted in 2021. Christian Benford holds down one side of the field in his second year as a starter.
Rasul Douglas joined the team with Rapp last year, giving the secondary another veteran. Nickelback Taron Johnson has been hurt for much of 2024, playing only a few snaps in the first week. He returned against the Jets, intercepting a pass.
Injuries hit Buffalo hard last year, and they haven’t slowed down this season. Johnson joined other key pieces like linebackers Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano as vital pieces missing time this year. Milano, another Bills veteran, left a big void in the defense after tearing his biceps in the pre-season.
Holding the Line Going Forward
Along with Dorian Williams, Rapp has acted like glue holding the Buffalo secondary together throughout the first six weeks of the season. The passing defense becomes even more important since the rush defense (ranked 23rd) allows over 140 yards a game on the ground. Limiting opponents to 210 yards a game should give the Bills an advantage each week, especially with how the AFC East has changed this week.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye made the first start of his career against the Houston Texans. The results were mixed as he completed 20-of-32 passes for 243 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Incumbent starter Jacoby Brissett never surpassed 170 yards in five games and only threw two touchdowns.
The offense looked competent on several drives, something that wasn’t evident through the first five weeks of the year. Things will only get tougher going forward now with Maye under center and the Jets adding Davante Adams the day after losing to the Bills.
If the Miami Dolphins get starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back from a concussion, he’ll also put the pass defense to the test. Buffalo and Miami always play each other tough, so their second meeting this year will be much different than the Week 2 game.
Those are just the divisional games remaining on Buffalo’s schedule. Buffalo also has future dates with Seattle (Week 8), Kansas City (Week 11), San Francisco (Week 13), the Rams (Week 14), and the Detroit Lions (Week 15). Rapp and the secondary will have to maintain their level of play to keep Buffalo on the right path heading into January.
Main Image: Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports
