University of Utah defensive end Nate Orchard will join the Cleveland Browns after being selected with the No. 51 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Browns swapped picks with the Texans, moving down from No. 43, but they were still able to draft Orchard, one of the most productive edge rushers in college football last season.
2015 NFL Draft results: Nate Orchard picked by Browns
The playmaking pass rusher is heading to Cleveland.
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Despite playing wide receiver in high school, Orchard became an instant contributor for Utah on defense and special teams. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2011 and all 12 games the following season. Orchard became a starter his junior year, taking over at left end in the Utes’ base defense. Though he only registered 3 1/2 sacks that season, he consistently found ways to hurry throws and flush the quarterback out of the pocket.
That experience led to an incredibly productive 2014 season. Orchard tallied 18 1/2 sacks and 21 tackles for loss, most on the team and top five in each category across college football. In doing so, Orchard helped Utah to a 9-4 record and a No. 21 ranking in the AP poll.
Yet, despite the numbers, Orchard is far from a perfect prospect. He never became much of a run defender even with his 6’3, 250-pound stature. He doesn’t yet possess a wide array of moves to get around the edge and struggles to break double teams. Some of his sack numbers are the result of the coverage.
Orchard's combine highlights his athletic limitations. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.80 seconds and produced a 7.28 second 3-cone drill. His jumps were also average -- he scored 115" in the broad and 31 1/2" in the vertical. Sometimes athletes of this profile become effective pass rushers. Other times they turn out like Jarvis Jones.
During Orchard's final two seasons, he registered 22 sacks, 30 tackles for loss and 134 tackles. He also forced six fumbles and batted away four passes.
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