On Monday night the Buffalo Bills announced that they had waived defensive tackle Adolphus Washington and signed former Cleveland Browns defensive end Nate Orchard. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that the Bills tried to trade Washington before releasing him, which isn’t the first news of the team trying to add value and subtract the lineman. In 2017, ESPN’s Mike Sando reported that the Bills were looking for a fifth round pick for Washington as the trade deadline approached.
Washington, a third round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, will finish his career in Buffalo with disappointing results, having never developed into a starting lineman despite his team’s efforts. In two-plus seasons, Washington had 56 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three passes defended.
Orchard, a second round pick in the 2015 draft, had his own underwhelming career over three seasons with the Browns. He played in 34 games, with 65 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes defended. The 6’3” 255 pounder is more of a defensive end than a defensive tackle, meaning Harrison Phillips is essentially the only backup in the middle of the defensive line right now. Orchard was among 11 players to try out for the Bills last week.