Taylor Rapp
Getty
Philadelphia Eagles writer Anthony DiBona argued the team should quickly target a veteran safety such as Taylor Rapp in 2026 NFL free agency.
The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t make as much noise during the first week of NFL free agency as a lot of pundits expected. Late in the week, they did finally address cornerback and edge rusher, but safety remains as a need. Eagles writer Anthony DiBona argued the team should change that quickly, perhaps with someone such as Taylor Rapp.
“Eagles are quickly running out of options at safety in free agency,” wrote DiBona on X on Friday in response to Geno Stone signing with the Buffalo Bills.
“Philadelphia should re-sign Marcus Epps and possibly bring in another veteran too.”
DiBona then listed four potential safety targets for the Eagles, the most notable of which was Rapp.
A former second-round pick for the Los Angeles Rams, Rapp has started 72 games in seven NFL seasons. Over the past two years with the Buffalo Bills, he started 20 contests, posting 108 combined tackles with six pass defenses and two interceptions.
According to Spotrac, Rapp has made $15.66 million during his NFL career.
Why the Eagles Could Pursue Taylor Rapp
Philadelphia is in the safety market with the second week of free agency about to begin because the team lost defensive back Reed Blankenship. With a 3-year, $24.75 million contract, Blankenship signed with the Houston Texans.
The safety started 46 games over the past three campaigns for the Eagles. In 2025, he had 83 combined tackles with four pass defenses, one forced fumble and an interception.
Also in 2025, Blankenship played a career-high 1,008 defensive snaps. That was third-most on the team.
Rapp is one of the few safeties still on the market capable of playing close to that much and not being a significant liability.
Rapp played only six games in 2025 because of a knee injury. The Bills released the veteran safety on March 6.
Before the injury, though, Rapp played 96% of Buffalo’s defensive snaps in 2025. The veteran safety has also played at least 775 defensive snaps in four of his other six NFL seasons.
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Rapp at No. 61 overall in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He immediately started 10 games as a rookie, posting a career-best 100 combined tackles.
After four seasons with the Rams, Rapp spent three campaigns with the Bills. His best statistical season in Buffalo was 2024 when he had 82 combined tackles, six pass defenses and two interceptions in 14 games.
In addition to Rapp, DiBona named safeties Ashtyn Davis, Andre Cisco and Kyle Dugger potential veteran targets for the Eagles. Since his post on X, Cisco signed with the New York Jets.
Will Eagles Re-Sign Marcus Epps?
The first step DiBona said should be Philadelphia’s plan at safety is re-signing Marcus Epps.
Last season was Epps’s first campaign back with the Eagles. He posted 21 combined tackles in 12 games, which included four starts.
Epps played 250 defensive snaps and 119 special teams snaps.
Without Blankenship, Epps returning could be key. He gives the Eagles additional continuity in their secondary.
It’s also quite likely an external veteran addition, such as Rapp, won’t be able to completely replace Blankenship. The Eagles could use Epps and Rapp as a combination at free safety next to strong safety Andrew Mukuba.
Like Rapp, Epps entered the league during the 2019 NFL Draft. Both safeties, particularly paired together, would give the Eagles a great veteran presence next to Mukuba, who was a rookie last season.
Besides the Eagles, Epps has played for the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders. His first Eagles stint occurred from 2020-22.