Possible Patriots, 2015 NFL Draft – Nate Orchard DE/LB Utah
With the NFL Combine underway in Indianapolis, there are a few players that we’ll profile right up to the 2015 NFL Draft that we feel may be of interest to the Patriots and ones that will be a good fit with the team.
The Patriots defense made huge strides in 2014, with the additions of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner at cornerback. The team’s pass defense and secondary became a strong point and backboned the team to a Super Bowl win over the Seattle Seahawks.
However the pass rush was inconsistent and the team’s 40 sacks, tied for 13th place among the NFL leaders, was often more of a result in coverage sacks than straight out quarterback pressure.
The Patriots top two pass rushers from the edge, Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich routinely play far too many snaps and the team could really use a player to step up and be able to spell either while generating a consistent pass rush from the outside.
When Jones went down with an injury the team brought in Akeem Ayers through a trade with the Tennessee Titans. Ayers was very effective in creating pressure but played little once Jones returned and is now a free agent.
One player who would be a nice fit for the Patriots is Nate Orchard a DE/OLB from Utah. Orchard is a versatile player who could play either with his hand down as a 4-3 defensive end or standing up as a 3-4 OLB.
As the NCAA’s sacks leader in 2014 with 18.5 and 21 tackles for loss, Orchard won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top pass rusher. At 6’4, 255 he has the frame to add some needed extra weight to produce at the next level.
He can play either right or left defensive end as well as linebacker which means that Bill Belichick, who loves versatile players can plug him in anywhere. He’s mature, already married with a daughter which means he’s stable in his personal life, something that can’t be overstated in today’s game.
He has the ability to turn his good closing speed into power where he can blow past pass blockers and close on opposing quarterbacks. He’s flexible enough in his hips to bend, turn the corner and bring down the opponent.
He doesn’t have a ton of experience in dropping into coverage, but is athletic enough to do so and could be a very nice addition as a sub-package pass rusher until he adds some experience and needed weight.
Pros:
- Very good speed off the edge with nice explosion at the snap
- Good use of his hands and long arms
- Outstanding motor and pursuit skills…never quits on a play
- Can grow into his frame which will allow him to succeed at either DE or OLB
Cons
- Needs to add some muscle and strength
- Still raw on his pass rush repertoire
- Can get pushed around at times in the running game
At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., last month, Orchard was named the North team MVP and impressed scouts with his ability to play as a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. And he was much stouter against the run than previously thought.
Agent Kenny Zuckerman said Orchard has proved he's a potential first-round talent. That is debatable at this point. The question remains was his monster 2014 season a case of a one-year wonder or him just scratching his potential? I believe it is the latter; Orchard has the potential to be a beast in the pass rush department while setting the edge in the running game.
His best fit at least initially would be on the edge as a speed rusher on passing downs. It would give him time to add some muscle in the team’s strength and conditioning program while getting some valuable experience.
Orchard isn’t a household name and in a draft chocked full of good potential pass rushers could be a steal in the second round if he’s still around for the Patriots to scoop up. There has been some talk that he may go even higher. But playing with coach Belichick in the Patriots system would go a long way in his development.
With the Patriots already having two established starters in Jones and Ninkovich, it would allow Orchard to develop much like Jamie Collins did in his rookie season. Keep your eyes peeled on Orchard not only this weekend in Indy but in the future. He could be playing in Foxboro this fall and be a great addition.
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