Arizona Cardinals meet with top safety prospect

The Arizona Cardinals are weighing all of their options before the draft.

Per Omar Ruiz of NFL Media, the Arizona Cardinals were one of several teams to have previously met with University of Washington standout safety Taylor Rapp.

Since the beginning of the draft coverage, Rapp has been a fluctuating player in mock drafts, safety rankings, and big boards. While that’s likely not set to change, he’s earned recognition as one of the better safeties in a weak-class for backend help. Along with Deionte Thompson, Nasir Adderley, and Jonathan Abram, Rapp has been a safety that has seen his draft stock go as high as the first and as low as the bottom of the third.

Due to a previous injury, Rapp didn’t run at the annual NFL combine. At the Washington pro-day, he disappointed with a 40-time between 4.74 and 4.77 seconds, per Daniel Jeremiah. That low time should solidify a day two grade for the talented safety.

However, his fantastic statistics and tape may keep his stock afloat. Per Pro Football Focus, Rapp ranks in the top five for 2019 safeties in tackling efficiency with a 55.0 grade (first), yards per cover snaps with 0.13 (second), and cover snaps per target with 22.94 (fifth). In three years with the Huskies, Rapp tallied 126 tackles, three interceptions, and five pass deflections.

It’s fair to wonder if the Arizona Cardinals’ interest in Rapp is just due diligence or real interest. Although the team currently has a solid safety duo in Budda Baker and D.J. Swearinger employed, the latter of the two becomes a free agent in 2020, which could mean Steve Keim drafts his replacement in late April.

Don’t expect for the Arizona Cardinals to reach for Rapp at the top of the second though. They simply have bigger needs outside of safety. However, if Rapp falls to the third or even fourth (very unlikely) don’t be surprised if Keim gets his next safety to pair with Washington product Budda Baker.

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