NFL Draft Profile: Utah DE Nate Orchard

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As part of our coverage leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft we will provide profiles of 200 prospects, including what the scouts around the league are saying and video interviews with each player.

Nate Orchard (DE), Utah

6’3” | 250 lbs.

2014 stats:

84 tackles, 21 TFL, 18.5 sacks, 3 PD, 3 FF

Selection:

2nd Round, No. 51 overall (Cleveland Browns)

What scouts are saying:

"Teams will either be wary of Orchard's single season of sack dominance or they will view it as an indicator of growth and potential stardom. Orchard will be below average against the run, but his draft grade and paycheck will be tied to his athleticism and pass-rush talent. If he can develop counter moves, he has big potential. If not, he might be nothing more than a middling, situational pass rusher." — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

"Quick first step with long strides to accelerate well, routinely the first Utah lineman off the ball. Natural bend around the edge with closing burst to finish with purpose. High effort player and doesn?t give up on plays, showing excellent pursuit from snap-to-snap. Subtle rush movements to set up moves, finding ways to get to the quarterback. Active and rangy for the position. Always alert with proper diagnose skills to read and react with timing and trust in what he sees. Good awareness vs. the run and tougher than he looks. Improved hand use as a senior to work off blocks, keeping himself clean with good length for the position. Works his tail off and highly competitive, giving consistent effort each snap and through the whistle. Wants to be the best and expects a lot out of himself. Defensive leader with excellent physical and mental toughness (wore the C proudly on his Utah jersey). Experienced at left and right defensive end and as the STUD linebacker for the Utes, lining up in both two and three point stances." — Dane Brugler, CBSSports.com

"Good foot quickness. Tackles struggle to handle his inside move. Explodes out of a track stance on passing downs. At his best as a squared-up rusher with a two-way go. Utilizes unique stutter step combined with burst to beat tackles inside. Seamless coordination of hands and feet as a rusher. Smooth hips to backpedal into space or turn and run laterally. Stronger at the point of attack than given credit for and offers scheme versatility. Shows juice upfield out of stand-up position. Still improving and learning his craft. Has ability to discard and make plays against the run. Has upper-body flexibility to beat blocker with shoulder turn. Still improving, but shows ability to use hands to help him win quickly. Played well against Stanford LT Andrus Peat." — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

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