The Seattle Seahawks have been connected to numerous players with local ties at the NFL combine, including former University of Washington quarterback Jake Browning and corner Byron Murphy, as well as Washington State tackle Andre Dillard.
The most recent local connection comes from Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, whose latest mock draft has the Seahawks selecting UW safety Taylor Rapp with their first round pick.
Rapp’s tape was perhaps the strongest of any safety in this draft class, and he only helped himself with strong performances in the three-cone drill (6.82 seconds) and the short shuttle (3.99 seconds) at the combine.
Rapp is a versatile defensive back, capable of playing both safety spots as well as nickel corner if necessary. Seattle is likely losing Earl Thomas to free agency, and also has a tough decision to make regarding fellow free agents Justin Coleman, Neiko Thorpe and Akeem King.
Adding a playmaker with the versatility and big-hit tendencies that Rapp possesses would definitely ease the sting of losing the entire Legion of Boom in a matter of months, and would give Seattle fans a hometown hero to root for as Seattle ushers in a new era of playmakers in the secondary under coach Pete Carroll.
