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.
