Nate Orchard Now Getting Love From Scouts

Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad running back Cameron Artis-Payne of Auburn (44) carries the ball against North squad defensive end Nate Orchard of Utah (99) during the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

About a month or two ago, I wrote a piece about Utah Utes defensive end Nate Orchard. Despite his 18.5 sacks in the Pac-12 this past season, the personnel world had him going in Day, 3 of the draft. Then I looked at all the overrated prospects like Danielle Hunter, rated over him, and thought, “No way!”

Then I looked at guys like Shane Ray and Randy Gregory, knowing he was better at rushing the passer than them too. But I remembered later, the draft is about potential and the length and speed of Gregory, and the super-speed of Ray would win out with scouts. But still, I think that Ray is deserving of a 1st-round grade or at least early in the second round.

But I found that the reasons why the scouting world didn’t like him so much is because he’s undersized for a 4-3 defensive end and weren’t sure if he could be a 3-4 outside linebacker. So Orchard went to the Senior Bowl not only to show that he was the creme dela creme off pass rushers but that he could play outside linebacker without problems.

Turn the page to see what the scouting world thinks of him now.

Next: The Week