The Rams used their first draft pick to add youthful depth to the secondary in the second round. Former University of Washington safety Taylor Rapp will join the decorated Rams secondary in 2019 after 39 games as a Huskie. Rapp recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, seven interceptions, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in his college career.
Here are three things to know about Rapp:
1. FRESHMAN STANDOUT
If Rapp's first season as a professional goes anything his his first seasons in the college ranks, the Rams might be more than pleased with their choice at No. 61-overall.
Rapp played in all 14 games as a true freshman and started in 10. He perhaps iced his spot on All-Freshman lists in the Pac-12 title game against Colorado, when he picked off back-to-back passes and returned one of them for a touchdown. The performance earned Rapp the game's MVP nod.
Rapp finished his freshman season with 51 tackles, four interceptions, a touchdown, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble.
2. NEXT DAWG UP
With the addition of Rapp and defensive tackle Greg Gaines in 2019, the Rams have now drafted 40 players out of the University of Washington — only USC has sent more prospects to the franchise.
On Friday, Rapp became the first Huskie drafted by the Rams since DE Jason Chorak was taken in the seventh-round of the 1998 draft. Rapp will also join former Washington standout cornerback Marcus Peters in the Rams secondary in 2019.
3. DUAL CITIZEN
Rapp holds both Canadian and American passports, born to a Canadian father and Chinese mother in Atlanta, Georgia.
Part of just the .4 percent of Asian athletes to compete at the Division I level, the Rams' newest safety told NFL.com’s Andy Fenelon that he hopes to be a 'beacon' for Chinese-American football players of the future after making his professional football dreams come true.
"It's beyond making history to me," Rapp told Fenelon. "To me, it's about gaining a platform that will help inspire a generation of Chinese- and Asian-American kids. I don't want to be just an answer to a trivia question; I want to inspire and have a real impact."
The Los Angeles Rams select Washington safety Taylor Rapp with the 61st pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: The Ohio State Buckeyes top the Washington Huskies 28-23 at Rose Bowl on January 01, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
The 2018 University of Washington football team head shots on August 22, 2018. (Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)
Photo: Alika Jenner
Photo: Alika Jenner
Photo: Alika Jenner
Photo: Alika Jenner
The University of Washington takes on Stanford at Husky Stadium on Saturday, November 3, 2018 in Seattle.
Photo: Alika Jenner
Washington State's Travell Harris, lower right, is tackled by Washington safety Taylor Rapp, upper left as snow flies during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington's Taylor Rapp, second from right, leaps to intercept a Stanford pass in the end zone on the final play of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Seattle. Washington won 27-23. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Photo: Alika Jenner
Washington's Taylor Rapp (7) celebrates wth teammates after a play against North Dakota in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Washington's Taylor Rapp runs on the field after a play against North Dakota in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp participates in a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
