Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft: All Round Post Free Agency Edition (Adithya 2.0)
Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
When running the mock draft simulator, Rapp was the most consistent best player available for the Cowboys. Some other options I stumbled upon Christian Miller, Charles Omenihu, and Juan Thornhill. I felt Rapp made the most sense for the Cowboys for a few reasons.
First, the team has made a move by signing George Iloka to a 1 year contract. Let me remind you that it’s a one year contract. He’s not signed for another season meaning if he leaves after next season, he could be back to square one of the Woods and Heath show.
Woods was a good safety last season and Heath had his moments, but there are legitimate concerns for his missed tackles. This is specifically why Rapp comes in. Rapp can develop one year behind Iloka, Woods, Heath and then step into the role when he’s ready. (I’d assume it’d be sooner than later)
While it is perceived that Iloka would be replacing Heath and Strong Safety, he hasn’t always played Strong. In fact Joe Goodberry points out how he’s divided his snaps between positions.
Common misconception with George Iloka is that he's a Strong Safety. Don't let his size fool you. He's a free safety all the way. Just look at his last three seasons (and it's always been this way).
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) March 24, 2019
FS snaps: 1,409
Box/Slot/LOS snaps: 730
The positional flexibility Iloka provides is similar to what Rapp can bring as well. As it stands now I think he would upgrade the strong safety position. He never misses tackles and he has versatility playing in the box and as a rangy safety. The ball production isn’t there but he makes up for it by not giving up big plays, something Iloka has done for years.
Second, the learning curves for defensive linemen are larger than the learning curves for safeties. In the second round, lot’s of teams hope to draft starters who have lesser upside than their first round choices. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, this pick is the first in the draft so they have to make it count.
Rapp would allow the Cowboys to maximize their second round pick. He’s a plug and play starter with good instincts and is a fantastic tackler, but they don’t have to make him such. He would have the ability to learn from someone who plays like him for at least one year before he could solidify his role on this team for the future.
As mentioned, his ball production is a bit of a concern especially for someone who plays like Rapp but that could be subject to change once he reaches the NFL. As a strong safety he will have the opportunity to cover tight ends, something he didn’t do very often at Washington.
Rapp currently stands as the best player available and by giving him a year to develop, it would allow the Cowboys to bolster the weakest part of their defense.