Tag: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

Cardinals take Texas Tech S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in Round 4

The Cardinals add a safety built like Budda Baker in the fourth round.

The Arizona Cardinals have added a third player in the draft for the defensive secondary. With their fourth-round pick, No. 104 overall, they selected safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson out of Texas Tech.

Taylor-Demerson was part of Touchdown Wire’s top 50 players in the draft.

Taylor-Demerson is 5-foot-10 and 197 pounds and is athletic. Built similarly to Budda Baker, he ran the 40 in 4.41 seconds and posted a 38-inch vertical leap and 123-inch broad jump.

He picked off 10 passes over the last three seasons, having at least three each season, and broke up 33 passes.

He is nicknamed “Rabbit” because of his playing speed and smaller build.

He entered college out of high school as a running back but converted to safety and added over 20 pounds while he was in Lubbock.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar: Doug’s favorite underrated draft prospects

In this week’s Xs and Os, Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar discuss Ricky Pearsall, Malik Washington, Renardo Green, Max Melton, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, and Javon Bullard.

In this week’s episode of “The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get into six of Doug’s favorite underrated prospects in the 2024 NFL draft — players who most likely won’t hear their names called in the first round next Thursday night, but who all can provide serious value to their soon-to-be NFL teams. Two weeks ago, we focused on “Greg’s Guys” in that same regard. Now, here are Doug’s favorites.

Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall — Will Pearsall be able to maintain his gliding speed, route awareness and amazing catches into contact at the NFL level? We’re betting on “yes.”

Virginia receiver Malik Washington — Washington is a shorter (but not thin) player who can create explosive plays all over the field; a team like the Chiefs (for example) should be watching as much of his tape as possible right now.

Florida State cornerback Renardo Green — Green projects well as an outside cornerback despite a lack of desired size, but how will his NFL team deploy him?

Rutgers cornerback Max Melton — In Melton’s case, his NFL team will love his ability to match receivers all over the field, and they’ll likely see the necessary technique fixes as a worthy time investment.

Texas Tech safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson — More than any other safety in this class, Taylor-Demerson has field-scalding speed when in coverage. If he can tamp down the more rogue elements of his athleticism, he could be an easy Pro Bowler.

Georgia safety Javon Bullard — Over the last two seasons, Georgia asked Bullard to completely change his positional profile in ways most college defenders are not asked to do, and he did it all very well. That should make him an easy prospect for most NFL teams.

You can watch this week’s “X and Os” right here:

You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts. 

2024 NFL Draft: Texas Tech safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson scouting report

Texas Tech safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson flies around the field like few others, but he’ll need to shore up a couple things in his NFL transition.

The Oklahoma 5A Player of the Year following his senior season at Carl Albert High School in Oklahoma City, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson moved from running back to safety following his commitment to Texas Tech over Air Force, Army and Utah State. He had limited snaps in his first two collegiate seasons, and he really came around in 2022, when he allowed 27 catches on 46 targets for 394 yards, 124 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, three interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 59.5.

Last season for a Red Raiders defense that rose in efficiency, Taylor-Demerson gave up 20 catches on 35 targets for 221 yards, 112 yards after the catch, three touchdowns, five interceptions, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 65.0.

PLUSES

— Functional field speed is singularly impressive; Taylor-Demerson can get from Point A to Point B as quickly as any defender in this draft class. It’s hard for quarterbacks and receivers to get a bead on his positioning in the open field.

— True multi-position versatility; he can win as a slot cover man and blitzer, and as a single-high and two-deep safety.

— Converges to cover like a bat out of hell, and can create chaos with well-timed hits and deflections.

— Smooth, instructive match and man defender with the athleticism to lock turn-for-turn with most any receiver.

— Can work 10-15 yards in an instant to break up and intercept passes; he’ll bait a lot of quarterbacks at the next level.

MINUSES

— Tackling is a real mixed bag; part of that daredevil style. He had 44 missed tackles in five seasons for the Red Raiders. His style is basically getting on someone’s back and waiting for the cavalry.

— Will lose his landmarks and spots at times in zone coverage; he’s more of a man/match guy at this point.

— As much as he’ll fool your quarterback with his speed and closing ability, Taylor-Demerson can be deceived right out of his socks by action and late movement.

— Speed covers up some transitional issues; it’s impressive to watch him turn and run with a second receiver off his first assignment, but you’re not always sure what the plan is.

From a pure physical tools perspective, Taylor-Demerson is flat-out ridiculous. I’d take him in the late second/early third round just to get the benefit of all that flash, and build everything around him over time. He’s got a lot of stuff you can’t teach, and the rest seems coachable.

How a bumper crop of unexpected free agents impacts the safety class in the 2024 NFL draft

How a bumper crop of unexpected free agents impacts the safety class in the 2024 NFL draft

It’s hard to get draft analysts and talent evaluators to agree on pretty much anything, but it’s difficult to find anyone bullish on this year’s draft class at safety. It became a bit of a parlor game during last week’s NFL Scouting Combine to try and figure out if any safeties would be selected before the end of the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

It’s not a strong safety class. In my personal rankings, two safeties are ranked in the top 50: Utah’s Cole Bishop and Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin. They are No. 38 and 40, respectively — and I’m higher on both than most analysts.

In short, the draft supply at safety isn’t looking all that good. And with each passing few hours, the safety class keeps becoming less and less important for teams looking for immediate help.

That’s because the free agent market has suddenly, unexpectedly become flooded with quality starters. Over the past few days, a decent crop of free agent safeties have been joined by a veritable who’s-who at the position.

Since the NFL Scouting Combine safety workouts last week, all of these safeties have been released by their teams:

Kevin Byard, Eagles

Rayshawn Jenkins, Jaguars

Jordan Poyer, Bills

Jamal Adams, Seahawks

Quandre Diggs, Seahawks

Justin Simmons, Broncos

These are not insignificant players. Poyer was an All-Pro in 2022. Simmons earned second-team All-Pro status in four of the last five seasons. Byard was fifth in tackles by a safety last season and a first-team All-Pro in 2021. Diggs ranks third in the NFL overall in interceptions since 2019.

Earlier in the offseason, Chicago dumped veteran stalwart Eddie Jackson and Detroit released longtime starter Tracy Walker.

They join a group that already features appealing starters like Xavier McKinney of the Giants, Detroit’s C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kam Curl from Washington, and Buffalo’s Micah Hyde—and that’s far from a complete list of safeties worthy of signing around the league. Heck, while I was producing this very article, the Steelers cut experienced starter Keanu Neal.

All of a sudden, the free agent supply of starting safeties has gone from a decent but limited pool to a well-stocked lake full of players. Teams can find other fish in that abundant sea. Presumably, the high supply should keep the costs down in landing one of the free agents, too.

What does that mean for the draft class?

Perhaps the easiest way to answer that is by asking a hypothetical question:

Pretend you’re an NFL GM and need a starting safety in 2024. Would you rather sign an established veteran for what will likely seem under market value, or would you take a risk on the thinnest (at the top anyway) draft class at any position?

That doesn’t seem like a difficult choice. That’s bad news for 2024 draft prospects like Caden Bullock, Kam Kinchens, Jaden Hicks and Dadrion Taylor-Demeson (a personal fave). Those potential Day 2 selections could very well get pushed down the draft priority chart into Day 3 because teams won’t have the urgency to reach for them, knowing better, more proven option to provide immediate help are readily available.

And that might ultimately benefit the safety class. They’re less apt to be tossed into the deep end of the pool without any swim lessons or floatation devices. They can develop more at their own pace without the pressure of “perform or else!” It could also allow individual teams to be more patient in targeting a specific player who seems like a great fit instead of rushing to snatch a safety who might not profile as well for its defense.

As for its draft stock, however, it sure looks rough for the safety class as the NFL approaches free agency with more safeties hitting the open market by the hour.

 

Biggest winners from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Biggest winners from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine from Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon after a long week in Indianapolis

Four days of on-field workouts in Indianapolis concluded on Sunday with the offensive linemen taking the stage at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

Over 300 prospects participated in the interviews, medical examinations, on-field testing and more during the week. Scores of those players performed very well and augmented their appeal to the NFL decision-makers. But a few separated themselves at the top of the most impressive combine performers.

Here are the biggest winners from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 76, Texas Tech DB Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Texas Tech defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

With Darnell Savage Jr, Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford all set to hit the open market this offseason, the Green Bay Packers will need to invest heavily in the safety position. Even if the Packers opt to re-sign one of those three, Brian Gutekunst needs to make it a priority to add more talent to that room.

A player that Gutekunst could target in the 2024 NFL Draft is Dadrion Taylor-Demerson. The Texas Tech defensive back checks in at No. 76 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A standout running back out of Oklahoma, Taylor-Demerson earned playing time at safety and special teams as a true freshman in 2019. He became a regular starter in 2021, recording 62 tackles, three interceptions and 13 pass deflections. In 2022, Taylor-Demerson recorded 73 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and eight pass deflections.

This past season, the Texas Tech defensive back recorded 73 tackles, one sack, four interceptions and 12 pass deflections.

Taylor-Demerson will bring a ton of versatility to any secondary. Over the past three seasons, he’s logged 669 snaps in the slot, 1,312 snaps at safety and 38 snaps on the boundary. 

“He’s a smaller defensive back, but has played at all five spots in the Tech secondary at one point or another,” RC Maxfield, the host of the Back to 12 podcast, said. “He’s an intelligent player that’s also a good communicator that isn’t afraid to get his pads dirty in the run game.”

Over the past three seasons, Taylor-Demerson has picked off 10 passes and recorded 33 pass deflections. He has a radar for the football and when the ball is in his area he’s going to make a play on the pigskin. He trusts his eyes and takes proper angles to the football to arrive on time.

“He’s always around the ball,” Maxfield said. “Whether that’s in the run game or through the air. He has a good understanding of angles which allows him to seemingly get to balls out of reach. That said, it all comes back to him being a really smart player.”

Taylor-Demerson has plus speed and has true centerfield range. He has a high football IQ and shows good route instincts. The former running back has a twitchy lower half and cornerback fluidity. 

“His footwork and hips,” Maxfield said. “He’s super agile and quick to react to a play. He also reads the quarterback’s eyes well which allows him to make up for his smaller frame.”

Taylor-Demerson has outstanding closing burst when he attacks downhill against the run. Although he’s a tad undersized, he throws his weight around against the run. He also improved as a tackler this past season and cut down his whiffs. 

“I think this is his most underrated trait,” Maxfield said. “At Tech he was asked to help a lot in the run game early last year due to having younger linebackers. He uses his leverage and speed well to get from point A to B with juice. He can also come off the edge and corner blitz effectively.”

During his time at Texas Tech, Taylor-Demerson logged 501 snaps on special teams. With his experience in that department, Taylor-Demerson could make an immediate impact on teams. 

Fit with the Packers

Taylor-Demerson could step in and start at nickel for the Packers if they don’t re-sign Keisean Nixon or he could step in and start at safety. If he doesn’t earn a starting spot on the defensive side of the ball he could make an immediate impact on special teams.

With his versatility, ball skills and instincts, Taylor-Demerson could quickly carve out a role in Green Bay’s secondary if he were to be selected by Gutekunst. 

“Football IQ, toughness and maturity,” Maxfield said. “The dude just gets it when it comes to being a leader on and off the field. He’s a guy you know will work his ass off every day to get better and do whatever is asked to help the team win.”

The Packers are desperate for playmakers in the secondary. Taylor-Demerson could give Green Bay’s defense a much-needed shot in the arm with his natural ball skills and rangy athleticism.

Defensive standouts for Chargers from East-West Shrine Bowl: Day 2

Here’s who stood out on the defensive side of the ball on the second day.

Practices for the East-West Shrine Bowl continued on Saturday in Frisco, TX.

Here’s who stood out on the defensive side of the ball on the second day of practice.

20 Shrine Bowl players to know before practices kick off

20 Shrine Bowl prospects to know for the 2024 NFL draft before practices kick off

The 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl week is coming up quickly. Over 100 draft prospects will go through practices and interviews with scouting personnel from all 32 NFL teams in hopes of improving their stock for the 2024 NFL draft.

This year’s Shrine Bowl moves to The Star in Frisco, Texas. Practices kick off on Saturday and run through Tuesday, with the game scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on Thursday, February 1st.

Here are some of the top players to know from the East and West rosters, which will be coached by current NFL assistants across several teams.