Houston Texans Will Look Hard At Outside Linebacker In The Draft
By Travis Oquin
Nov 22, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes defensive end Nate Orchard (8) sacks Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jesse Scroggins (15) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Arizona won 42-10. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nate Orchard (3rd round)
6’3”, 250 – Utah
Nate Orchard is the type of player that will be a fall back plan if the Texans do not find an outside linebacker in the first two rounds. 3-4 outside linebacker is one of the positions in the NFL where the success rate in the draft is tremendously higher in the top two rounds than later rounds, because the position requires a very specific skill set in order to excel and get more and more speculative and quite simply, luck as you go deeper into the draft.
This is particularly the case looking for a guy that can cover. It’s not as uncommon to find guys that can rush the passer. Orchard ran a 4.80 40-yard dash but had a solid 7.28 3-cone time.
Orchard is also a college defensive end that will be trying to convert to outside linebacker. Here is Orchard against Colorado State.
Aug 29, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes defensive end Nate Orchard (8) between plays during the first half against the Utah State Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Utah Utes won 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
What we know about Nate Orchard is that he can rush the passer. He has good quickness and a great inside move that he uses often. Orchard moves very well, giving you the hope that he can learn to cover as he looks smooth in his backpedal and lateral movement and not as stiff as many of his “conversion” competitors in the 3rd round or later.
We also know that the Texans have looked at Orchard multiple times and have put him through a private workout. Orchard, who has been keeping a diary, parts of which have been published on the internet was quoted as saying, all the Texans wanted to work with him on was “dropping into coverage”.
This is clearly an indication of what the Texans are looking for at this position. But it they don’t grab the ideal candidate early in the draft, they will be looking at guys like Orchard to find one that can convert to the type of 3-4 outside linebacker they are looking for to replace Brooks Reed.
Click for my look at the Inside Linebackers.
Click for my look at the Wide Receivers.
Click for my look at the Cornerbacks.
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