The Buffalo Bills have a very talented defense, with great contributors top to bottom to combine for one of the best units in the NFL.
While some players such as defensive end Gregory Rousseau and linebacker Terrell Bernard are big names, there are a handful of players who are equally as effective, even if they find themselves in the shadows rather than the limelight.
One player that fits the bill is safety Taylor Rapp, the former Super Bowl Champion. ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz donned Rapp as the most underrated safety in the league.
"Although many have described the Bills' safeties as underwhelming, they were an important part of a defense that finished 11th in DVOA last season. They ranked seventh in defensive DVOA on deep passes (16 or more air yards), and Rapp was most frequently in the role of deep safety," Schatz wrote.
"He also had a strong season as a tackler, with only four missed tackles compared to 48 solo tackles -- one of the lowest broken tackle rates in the league. And despite mostly playing back from the line of scrimmage, he ranked among the top 20 safeties with 48 run plays (tackles and assists)."
Once upon a time, Rapp was a major key to the Super Bowl LVI champion Los Angeles Rams' success, starting in 17 games that season and intercepting a career-high four passes.
And now?
Rapp is entering his third season with the Bills, and his second as a full-time starter. In 2024, Rapp started in all 14 games he appeared in, pulling two interceptions, with six pass breakups, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss, and 82 tackles.
Rapp's 82 tackles ranked fourth on the Bills behind Dorian Williams, Bernard and Damar Hamlin.
Add it all up? And yes, Rapp is worthy of attention ... and he's getting it.