The Arizona Cardinals front office was up and early Saturday morning as they were on the clock in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, selecting Texas Tech S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson with the No. 104 pick.
Taylor-Demerson spent five seasons (2019-23) with Texas Tech, playing 50 games. With the Red Raiders, the Oklahoma City native accumulated 224 tackles, 10 interceptions and two sacks.
After stacking up 73 tackles, four interceptions, a sack and blocking 12 passes last year, the 23-year-old declared for the NFL Draft. Taylor-Demerson received 2023 second-team All-SEC honors and helped Texas Tech win the 2023 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.
According to NFL draft analyst Steve Muench, Taylor-Demerson’s size may be an issue but he makes it up with his defensively smart skillset.
“Taylor-Demerson reads the quarterback, tracks the ball and closes well when he lines up in single-high and two-high looks,” Muench said. “He can shadow slot receivers in underneath man coverage. He is an instinctive playmaker who intercepted 10 passes over the past three seasons and had four picks in 2023. Taylor-Demerson has big hands, good eye-hand coordination and can catch passes thrown outside his frame. He’s undersized with short arms, but he’s an active run-defender and sound tackler who wraps up.”
Joining the Cardinals, Taylor-Demerson will get to play and learn from star safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson. Bobby Price and Verone McKinley wrap up the depth at safety on the team.
On the third and final day of the 2024 NFL Draft, Arizona will next pick at No. 138 in the fifth round. The Cards also have the No. 162, 191 and 226 selections.
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