Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange was selected in the third round by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was the 82nd overall pick.
Orange was the anchor of the Cyclones’ defensive line, with his size, strength and explosiveness.
We asked Des Moines Register football writers Travis Hines and Eugene Rapay for some quick analysis on Orange. Here’s what they said.
What kind of player was Domonique Orange at Iowa State?
Travis Hines: One of the best interior defensive linemen in Iowa State history, Orange is a block magnet that demands attention from offenses and frees up his teammates to wreak havoc. His stats don’t jump off the page and he’s not a huge disruptor, but that’s largely because he’s getting double- and triple-teamed most snaps.
Eugene Rapay: The anchor of the Cyclones’ defensive line, while his size, strength and explosiveness didn’t always culminate in stat sheet production, it’s worth noting that the 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive tackle commanded plenty of attention from opponents and was the subject of many double, and sometimes, triple teams by opposing linemen. Despite the added focus, Orange was able to hold the line and clog the interior, and he shined as a run-stopper. The frequent double teams also opened things up for teammates to swoop in for a tackle. He’ll need to bolster his arsenal of pass rush moves, but he’ll be a force when it comes to stuffing the A-gap or stopping the run.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What Vikings fans can expect from draft pick Domonique Orange, an insider perspective
Reporting by Register staff report, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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