The Miami Dolphins have had a busy week. The team has effectively been re-trimming the fat off of their 2019 roster. And while the first wave of heavy departures for Miami this spring was designed to tear down the roster left by Mike Tannenbaum, this more recent wave has been focused on undoing a lot of signings conducted as recently as this spring.
The latest casualty is pass rusher Nate Orchard. Orchard entered the NFL as a 2nd-round draft selection to the Cleveland Browns — and after flopping upon entry to the league, Orchard appeared on track to revive his NFL career with the Dolphins.
The heavy handed defender had a strong camp and was tied for the NFL lead in sacks this preseason — surely a young talent who is showing some potential is worth investing in for 2019, right? Maybe you’d end up with a player who can be a quality depth option down the road, right?
Wrong. The Dolphins cut Orchard loose after the player feasibly did everything possible to earn himself a roster spot. Considering Miami’s situation on the edge of their defense, Orchard would have likely been a starter and played the majority of the snaps on defense had he stayed on the roster.
Which leaves little explanation for Miami other than hoping to find more snaps for LB Sam Eguavoen — who is now listed as the team’s starting OLB opposite Charles Harris in the team’s 3-4 front.
