Nate Orchard Now Getting Love From Scouts
Nov 9, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Taylor Kelly (10) tries to get away from Utah Utes defensive end Nate Orchard (8) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Bottom Line
His get-off and burst around the corner to the quarterback is enough to give tackles and quarterbacks headaches. But Orchard has more than that with the aforementioned power that Davis eluded to. You put that together with the moves and technique of a guy that knows how to rush the passer and you have yourself and edge-rusher.
I thought he should be a Top-15-pick all along but of course the scouting world questioned his size to play 4-3 end and athleticism to play 3-4 outside linebacker. And in this week and game, Orchard showed he was powerful enough to play 4-3 end and athletic enough to play 3-4 outside linebacker.
And the scouting world is buzzing as NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said after the game, “I love Nate Orchard and what he did this week. The question of his size wasn’t an issue at all. You saw his ability to get off blocks and get off the ball.”
Davis chimed in again saying, “I think he answered a lot of questions this week and opened up some eyes. In fact, the Tennesse Titans staff told me, ‘Don’t tell anyone about this guy. We like him.'”
I don’t know where they have him now but a 4.6-40 at the combine puts him in the first round if he isn’t there already.