He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft.

Tapp also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before entering coaching in 2018.

Tapp attended Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, Virginia where he lettered in football, basketball, and track and field.

He was one of just three juniors to start on offense and defense for Deep Creek in 2000 when he played in all 14 games and posted eight quarterback sacks and earned First-team All-District.

In 2004, Tapp won the starting job, taking over for Nathaniel Adibi as the boundary defensive end and started all 13 games, registered 60 tackles were 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks and had 23 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a pass break up, an interception and a blocked kick as was named First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference.

On December 25, 2009, Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers accused Tapp of biting him on his left arm in their matchup in the 2008 season.

[5] On March 16, 2010, the Seahawks traded Tapp to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Chris Clemons and a fourth-round draft pick in 2010.

[8] On January 9, 2011, Tapp recorded his first-career postseason sack, bringing down Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

[10] On September 29, 2013, Tapp recorded his first sack as a member of the Redskins, tackling Oakland Raiders' quarterback Matt Flynn.