How a dismissed prospect became the highest-drafted player of Asian descent in NFL history
In short: In 2019, Taylor Rapp faced a draft stock crisis after an unimpressive 40-yard dash. Yet, despite facing racial taunts and being overlooked by recruiters, the safety overcame the odds to secure a second-round selection and a Super Bowl ring.
Taylor Rapp’s journey to the NFL was defined by resilience against significant social and athletic hurdles. Raised in Bellingham, Washington, Rapp faced a community that lacked support for prep football and endured racial taunts regarding his Chinese ethnicity. Despite being ranked as the top safety prospect in Washington by Scout.com, his path to the professional ranks was not linear. Before his collegiate success, he represented the USA national teams at both the U-16 and U-17 levels. He chose to play for the Washington Huskies after considering offers from several other major programs, including Notre Dame and Stanford.
His transition to the NFL was complicated by physical setbacks. During the 2019 NFL Draft process, a slow 40-yard dash at Ohio State's Pro Day—potentially hampered by a hip flexor issue—led analysts to question his speed. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the second round, 61st overall. This achievement made him the highest-drafted player of Asian descent in NFL history, surpassing Ed Wang, who was selected in 2010. The Rams secured his services by trading picks with the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire the necessary draft position. Upon joining the team, he signed a four-year contract worth approximately $4.67 million.
Rapp’s professional career has been a cycle of high-stakes performance and injury. After finding success with the Rams, including a Super Bowl LVI victory in February 2022, he moved to the Buffalo Bills in 2023. While he has proven his capability as a playmaker—notably recording a crucial interception to clinch the AFC East for Buffalo in January 2024—he has also dealt with significant injuries, including neck, knee, and concussion-related setbacks that have frequently impacted his availability. His time in Buffalo has seen him compete for starting roles against players like Damar Hamlin. He also faced a significant fine in late 2023 following a helmet-to-helmet hit during a game against the Raiders.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Taylor Rapp
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-taylor-rapp.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
