Cleveland Browns: Rookies to Watch in Pre-Season Play
By Joe Wedra
Aug 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Nate Orchard (48) gets a hand on Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) as Washington Redskins tackle Willie Smith (60) blocks during the second quarter in a preseason NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nate Orchard, OLB
Here’s a guy that Cleveland fans can be excited about for the upcoming season, making an already impressive defensive front that much richer.
Orchard showed flashes of brilliances regularly during his time at Utah, earning his second-round draft slot and a potentially large role in 2015.
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
What’s interesting here, and what makes Orchard’s performance in the pre-season of major note, is the fact that Cleveland has no choice but to add him in the rotation this season. Presumably, he’s not only just Paul Kruger’s backup, but the next man up on the defense. With any injury of any kind on the edge, Orchard gets inserted up front to perform.
The Browns are relatively thin at the outside linebacker position, giving Orchard the upper hand. His ability on the edge can ride Jim O’Neil’s defense a good way in 2015.
Next: Charles Gaines