Domonique Orange NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Minnesota Vikings DT

Nov 9, 2025

The Minnesota Vikings selected Iowa State DT Domonique Orange with the No. 82 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Dominique Orange is a densely-built nose tackle and a boulder against the run. The 6'2", 325-pound defensive lineman, who's nicknamed "Big Citrus," has impressive strength at the point of attack, making him impossible to move with one-on-one blocks and a gap-filler against double-teams.

Orange went to Iowa State as a 3-star recruit in the 2022 class and became an immediate contributor, playing in a rotational role as a true freshman. He turned into a spot starter during his second year on campus, collecting 16 tackles and two tackles for loss before earning the full-time job as a junior, totaling 24 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and a sack.

The Cyclone has earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in both the 2023 and '24 campaigns. He managed to receive third-team All-Big 12 recognition this past season, posting 18 tackles, half a TFL and no sacks.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

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Scroll down for the full scouting report.

Where He Wins

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Kansas State University v Iowa State University - Aer Lingus College Football Classic

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- Thick build and good size for an NFL nose tackle.

- Good initial quickness to get penetration when shooting gaps.

- Impressive pop in Orange's hands, with accompanying upper body strength, to generate knockback power and reset the line of scrimmage when taking on blocks.

- Plays with good pad-level and attacks the man he's lined up across to help stay in his gap assignment when taking on double-team blocks.

- Runs his feet to help avoid getting reached or scooped.

- Can make tackles with offensive linemen hanging onto him.

- Active hands as a pass-rusher.

Areas of Improvement

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 25 Iowa State at Kansas State

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- Orange has room for improvement when it comes to disengaging and escaping from blocks.

- Struggles to break down in the backfield and often runs too far up the field upon gaining penetration.

- Plays with a narrow base, which can get him in trouble against combo blocks if the offensive linemen can survive initial contact.

- Minimal pass-rush production. Orange isn't an effective bull-rusher to consistently collapse the pocket. Projects as a two-down player at the next level.